Method for opening a transportable container

The present invention relates to a process for opening a container for the transportation of valuable objects or valuable documents, for example. The container (1) includes a first electronic unit (2), which allows deactivation of an alarm system and/or opening of the container. A first key (10) required to open the container includes a second electronic unit (12), which communicates with the first electronic unit (2) such as to initiate opening of the container. There is used a stationarily disposed second key (20) which together with the first key (10) provides the complete code-set (ABCD) required to initiate deactivation and/or opening of the container (1). The stationarily disposed second key (20) includes a third electronic unit (22) which contains a subset (CD) of the complete code-set (ABCD) required to initiate deactivation and/or opening of the container (1). The electronic unit (12) of the first key (10) contains a subset (AB) of the complete code (ABCD) required to initiate deactivation and/or opening of the container (1). The inventive process ensures that the container (1) will be opened at the correct geographic destination and, when necessary, also within a determined time span.

The present invention relates to a process of opening a transportable container, according to the preamble of claim1.

With regard to containers or so-called safety bags for the transportation of valuable objects or valuable documents, for instance, there is a need for a code-based container opening procedure that incorporates a high level of security.

Unfortunately, a key that permits the deactivation and/or opening of the transportable container as a result of theft or some other criminal activity can land in the wrong hands, so as to enable the container to be deactivated and/or opened at a geographical position other than its intended destination.

One object of the present invention is to provide an extremely attractive and safe procedure that will ensure that the alarm of a mobile/transportable container will be deactivated and/or the container will be opened at the geographically correct place. This object is achieved with the procedure comprising the steps set forth in the characterising clauses of respective accompanying claims.

Among the many advantages afforded by the present invention can be mentioned that the inventive procedure provides a very high security level and economic advantages. Deactivation of the alarm of the mobile container and/or opening of said container at places other than the intended destination can be prevented, even when unauthorised persons are in possession of said key. This effectively prevents so-called insider burglary, and the loss of the key will not constitute a security risk.

The transport container1shown inFIG. 3exemplifies a sealable storage space that can be opened by code-actuation. The illustrated container1constitutes a safety container/safety cassette whose outer casing is alarmed to indicate any attempts to force holes in the casing or attempts to bend the casing apart or any other unauthorised attempt to open the container. Arranged in the container1is a first electronic unit2and a requisite source of electric current. The electronic unit2is adapted to activate immediately a destructive agent or some corresponding means placed in the container in response, e.g., to a signal current circuit/alarm current circuit being broken, so as to destroy or bring influence to bear on the valuable contents stored in the storage space in the container1at that moment in time. Activation and deactivation of the alarm circuit/alarm system and the electronic unit is effected by an appropriate high security code system. The aforedescribed transport container1may be used, for instance, to transport valuable objects between different places, wherewith subsequent to placing valuable objects in the casing, such as banknotes, documents, computer disks, etc., the container1is closed and the alarm system activated prior to delivery of the container to its intended destination, whereafter the container is opened on the basis of a code at said destination, by authorised deactivation of the alarm system with the aid of a key, therewith enabling the container1to be opened without destruction of the container contents by said destruction means. The container can then be emptied and reloaded, and so on.

Shown inFIG. 2is a first key10which is designed to enable the alarm to be deactivated and/or the mobile container1to be opened. The key10includes a capsule11in the form of an outer casing which is alarmed in a manner such as to indicate all types of unlawful manipulation, such as attempts to make holes in the capsule or to open the same. The casing or encapsulation11contains a second electronic unit12and a requisite power source. Any attempt to make a hole in the casing11or to attempt to open the casing will result in destruction of the coding of the key10. The key10also includes an operating button13.

The electronic unit12of the key10can be loaded with codes and possible other information, by temporarily connecting programming equipment to a socket provided to this end. The key10also includes means14which enables the electronic unit12to communicate with the electronic unit2of the container1when necessary through the medium of electromagnetic waves (for example, infrared light, so-called IR light).

The electronic unit2in the container1can be loaded with codes and possibly other information by connecting programming equipment temporarily to a socket provided to this end. The container1also includes means3which enables the electronic unit2to communicate with the electronic unit12of the key10when necessary, for instance by electromagnetic waves (for example, infrared light, so-called IR light).

The communication between the electronic unit12of the key10and the electronic unit2of the container1is illustrated with a double arrow50. This communication may be a wireless communication, range limited and based on IR light. The communication may, of course, be achieved temporarily by means of a male-female connection between concerned electronic units.

FIG. 1illustrates in larger scale a stationary second key20that includes a capsule in the form of, for instance, a circular outer casing21which is equipped with an alarm system which will cause all types of unauthorised action on the casing21, such as attempts to make holes in the casing or attempts to open the casing, to be indicated. Arranged in the outer casing21is a third electronic unit22. Any attempt to make a hole in the casing21or an attempt to open the casing will result in destruction of the coding of key20.

The outer casing21may be comprised of hardened steel or some other not readily forced material. The illustrated capsule or casing21has an outer circular shape and includes an end wall23, a barrel surface24and a circular connection flange25. The casing21that protects the electronic unit22is firmly attached to a permanent part60of the building where it will be used. The attachment can e.g. be achieved by means of a strong center screw26and additional screws27through the flange25. An attempt to remove the key20from its mounting structure60can be indicated so that an attempt to remove the stationary or wall-mounted key20will result in the destruction of the coding of said key.

The key20includes means for communicating with the key10. These means may consist of one or more leads28, which can be connected temporarily to the key10via a coupling point30. In addition to code communication between key10and key20, the lead/leads28may also convey operating current to the key20from the power source of the key10, therewith obviating the need to provide the key20with its own power source.

The inventive process of opening a transportable container is as follows. Let us assume that a complete code-set ABCD is required for initiating deactivation of the alarm system and/or for opening the transportable security container1. Because the electronic unit12of the first key10contains a first code subset, for instance in the form of codes AB, and the electronic unit22of the second key20contains a second code subset in the form of codes CD, for instance, the two keys10and20will together contain the complete code-set ABCD required to initiate deactivation of the alarm system and/or to allow the transportable container1to be opened. Thus, it is necessary for the first key10and the second key20to be used simultaneously in order to deactivate said alarm and/or to enable the container to be opened. Thus, the container can only be deactivated and/or opened at determined destinations or geographical positions where a stationary second key20is kept. Since the first key10contains only the code subset AB when separate from the second key20, the loss of the first key does not constitute a risk that the valuable contents of the container will be accessed unlawfully with the aid of the first key alone. Access to the container contents can thus only be achieved at said determined geographical positions at which the second key20is stationed, with simultaneous access to the first key10.

It will be understood that communication between the first key10and the second key20may be achieved in a wireless and range restricted fashion. For example, the second key20may be loaded with its code subset CD upon primary communication with the first key10, said code subset CD therewith permanently leaving the key10so as to be stored solely in the key20thereafter.

It will also be understood that communication between the keys10,20and the security container1may be of a very advanced nature, including a number of reciprocal code exchanges and code conversions. However, a central feature of the invention is that the keys10and20share the complete code-set required to initiate deactivation and/opening of the container1.

When physically coupling the two keys10and20together with the container1in conjunction with deactivating the container alarm and/or opening said container, the two keys may be supplied with electrical power from the power source of the container1, if so desired.

As will be understood, many variations are possible within the scope of the invention with regard to the structural design of the keys10,20, their code content and possibly also their code converting ability, for example.

The level of security can be further enhanced, for example against robbery, by supplementing the present invention with a so-called real time protection, by which is meant that the container can only be opened at its intended destination within a given time interval or time window.

In a simplified embodiment that lies within the scope of the invention, the stationary second key may be simplified with respect to its encapsulation and securement, among other things. For example, the second key may be attached to a chain or a wire or some technically corresponding arrangement. When necessary, the encapsulation may consist of a plastic casing or the like.

It will therefore be understood that the invention is not restricted to the illustrated and described embodiment, since changes and modifications are conceivable within the scope of the accompanying claims.