Abstract:
A system includes an apparatus for identifying an item with inclusion of a contact smart card to store the authenticity information of the item, and a card reader to allow examination of the authenticity being conducted locally and/or remotely. The identifying apparatus further has a locking means and a disabling means. The locking means prevents normal use of the item in a locked position. The disabling means will disable the contact smart card when the locking means is unlocked. The identifying apparatus further has a releasing means to be engaged with the locking means and disabling means. The card reader includes a central operating unit, an interface to the contact smart card, an interface to an external device and an interface to users. The interface to the contact smart card includes an adaptor of contact smart card and a fastening means to secure the identifying apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PUBLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/374,643, filed 2010 Aug. 18 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a system that includes an apparatus for electronically identifying an item with a contact smart card, and a device for verifying the information stored in the card. The system is suitable for anti counterfeit and Internet of Things. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Valuable products are often produced and inserted into the supply chain surreptitiously by counterfeit producers. Most consumers do not have the expertise to distinguish such counterfeit products from legitimate products. Accordingly, there are needs for a suitable system to help consumers to examine the authenticity of a valuable product during purchase. 
     Over the last decade, several types of apparatus with inclusion of a RFID have been proposed or implemented to combat counterfeit. In such a way the ID information of a product is compiled and stored in an integrated circuit by the manufacture, and retrieved to examine the authenticity using an external reader and centralised systems when the product is being sold to a consumer. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,619 B1, Halperin is observed as describing a tagging mechanism that includes an electronic tag and visible indicia that are attached to an item. Therefore, the authenticity of an item can be checked by the comparison of the number stored in the tag and displayed in the indicia. However this patent has not provided an efficient mechanism to disable the electronic tag so that it leaves chances to reuse the tag for counterfeit products. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,382 B2, Claessens is observed as describing an apparatus with RFID tag embedded in a bottle cap and a ratchet mounted on the bottle cork. The authenticity information of the content in the bottle is stored in the RFID tag that would be destroyed upon removal of the cap. The success of the disabling the RFID tag depends on the degree of friction between the cork and bottle surface and the ability of the cork to resist the rotating torque when the cap is unscrewed from the bottle. Therefore, it is not a reliable means for disabling the RFID tag. 
     In U.S. patent application publication 2008/0069736 A1, Mingerink is observed as describing several types of containers on which a RFID tag is affixed. The tag includes an integrated circuit and an antenna. The information of the contents stored in the integrated circuit can be interrogated by a reader in order to identify the contents included in the container. The deactivation of the tag is generated by the disconnection of the integrated circuit and the antenna. The integrated circuit remains functioning. There are chances for a counterfeiter to recover the used container and reuse it for counterfeit products. 
     In China Patent application publication CN 1247147A, the inventor is observed as describing a bottle cap in which a RFID tag is embedded. The bottle cap includes an inner cap and an outer cap. The tag would be fractured when outer cap rotates with respect to inner cap. However the solution proposed is not viable due to the ways in which the inner cap engages the outer cap and the bottle. 
     In China Patent application publication CN 2397060Y, the inventor is observed as describing a bottle cap in which a RFID tag is embedded. The tag is disposed in between the outer cap and the inner cap of a child-proof cap for medicine. The cap is limited to plastic material and use with a bottle having screwing neck only. 
     Using RFID for anti-counterfeit has major drawbacks. Firstly there are as many as five different RFID standards existing simultaneously. This would lead to technical difficulties and would increase the expense of the examination system. Secondly, RFID technology has physical limitations such as the inability to read through liquids or metals. These limitations have reduced its efficacy and narrowed its application in combating counterfeit. 
     Although many inventors claim that an interrogating device is a part of their invention, all of them failed to provide a comprehensive design of such a device. In fact, existing tag readers are expensive and require a sophisticated network to exchange information with a remote database. As a result, there has been a persistent need for cost effective readers and a satisfactory data exchange network when applying an electronic tag to deter counterfeiting. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus suitable for using various contact smart cards to store authentic information so as to extend the application of an electronic anti-counterfeit system to products that include metal or liquid. 
     It is further an objective of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for protecting the authenticity of consumable products. In a locked status, the apparatus prevents the product to which it is attached from being used and provides the authenticity information of the product. The apparatus will disable the authenticity information when the product is released for consuming. 
     It is further an objective of the present invention to provide a cost effective apparatus and method for verifying the authenticity information stored in the contact smart card, by using public telecommunication networks and a remote centralised device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to this present invention, there is provided an anti counterfeit system that includes an apparatus for identifying an item with a contact smart card included to store the authenticity information of the item, and a card reader to allow examination of authenticity being conducted locally and/or remotely. The identifying apparatus has a housing embedded in or attached to the item, and a contact smart card. The housing is to provide coverage for the contact smart card and means for receiving the card reader. The identifying apparatus further has a locking means and a disabling means so as to form a tamper-evident electronic seal for consumable items. The locking means prevents the normal use of the item sealed, such as locking the container or blocking functionality. The disabling means will fracture the contact smart card in the operation of unlocking the apparatus. The identifying apparatus further has a releasing means for facilitating unlocking the apparatus, which engages both the locking means and the disabling means. The integrated circuit of the contact smart card will be permanently and physically disabled by the disabling means when the lock means is released. The card reader includes a central operating unit, an interface to the contact smart card, an interface to a portable electronic device and an interface to users. The central operating unit is to provide power, clock and controls for operating the contact smart card. The central operating unit further converts the communication protocol defined by the contact smart card into the communication protocol accepted by the portable electronic device. The interface to the contact smart card includes an adaptor of contact smart card and a fastening means to engage the identifying apparatus. The card reader further includes a power switch interlocking with the fastening means so that the power of the card reader is automatically turned on when the card reader is in engagement with the apparatus and turned off when the card reader is disengaged from the apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The purposes, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following drawings of preferred embodiments, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system including an identifying apparatus and a card reader to be used with a portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective exploded view of an electronic tag for identifying durable products in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the housing of the electronic tag. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective exploded view of the contact smart card included in the electronic tag. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective exploded view of a modified electronic tag for identifying durable products in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the housing of the modified electronic tag. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a partial cut-away perspective view of an electronic tamper-evident fastener mounted on a belt in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cut-away perspective view of the electronic tamper-evident fastener in a locked position. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cut-away perspective view of the electronic tamper-evident fastener in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a modified electronic tamper-evident fastener mounted on a belt in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a partial cut-away perspective view of a modified electronic tamper-evident fastener mounted on a belt in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a partial cut-away perspective view of the electronic tamper-evident lock for identifying a box with a removable lid in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cut-away perspective view of the electronic tamper-evident lock in a locked position. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a cut-away perspective view of the electronic tamper-evident lock in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a partial cut-away perspective view of the housing of the electronic tamper-evident lock. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of the disabling means of the releasing means of the electronic tamper-evident lock. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic tamper-evident clamp attached on an object in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a cut-away perspective exploded view of the electronic tamper-evident clamp. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a sectional view of the electronic tamper-evident clamp in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a cut-away perspective exploded view of a modified electronic tamper-evident clamp. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a partial cut-away perspective exploded view of an electronic tamper-evident cap for identifying a bottle with annular recess in its neck in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective exploded view of the contact smart card included in an electronic tamper-evident cap. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a sectional view of the electronic tamper-evident cap taken along line I-I. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a sectional view of the electronic tamper-evident cap in a locked position taken along line II-II. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a sectional view of the electronic tamper-evident cap in an unlocked position taken along line II-II. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a partial cut-away perspective exploded view of the electronic tamper-evident cap modified for identifying a bottle with annular protrusion in its neck in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a sectional view of the modified electronic tamper-evident cap taken along line III-III. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a sectional view of the modified electronic tamper-evident cap in a locked position. 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a sectional view of the modified electronic tamper-evident cap in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a perspective exploded view of a reader for verifying an electronic identifying apparatus in accordance with one embodiment, the reader having a turning fastening means. 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a perspective view of the turning fastening means of the reader. 
         FIG. 32  illustrates an underside perspective exploded view of the reader having a turning fastening means. 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a perspective exploded view of a modified reader for verifying an electronic identifying apparatus in accordance with another embodiment, the reader having an inserted fastening means. 
         FIG. 34  illustrates an underside perspective view of the inserted fastening means of the modified reader for an electronic identifying apparatus. 
         FIG. 35  illustrates an underside perspective view of the inserted fastening means engaged with an electronic tamper-evident clamp. 
         FIG. 36  illustrates an underside perspective view of the switch position of inserted fastening means in engaged position. 
         FIG. 37  illustrates a schematic diagram of the reader. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This present invention relates to a system that electronically seals and verifies the authenticity of the item being sealed. The system comprises an apparatus with a contact smart card for identifying the item, and a card reader for verifying the authenticity of the item. The identifying apparatus may have an appearance of a button, a box lock, a belt fastener, a clamp or a bottle cap. The card reader is for connecting the contact smart card included in the apparatus with a portable electronic device like cellular phone or a cordless phone. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1-4 , there is illustrated an electronic tag  5000  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for identifying the item in which it is embedded. According to this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic tag  5000  has a contact smart card  5100  and a housing constructed with a cavity  5002  extends from a side surface thereof and a faceplate  5001 . The faceplate  5001  has a rectangular opening  1136  for receiving a SIM card adaptor and a plurality of elongated apertures  1137  for engaging the fastening means of the card reader, as will be further explained in an embodiment of card reader. The contact smart card  5100  is mounted in the cavity  5002 . The housing may be embedded in the product by means of sewing, welding or riveting. 
     The contact smart card  5100  comprises an insulator plate  1301 , an integrated circuit  1302 , and a reader interface constructed with a plurality of electrical contacts  1303 . The integrated circuit  1302  and the electrical contacts  1303  are mounted on the same side of the insulator plate  1302  to form a thin flat card. The integrated circuit  1302  stores the information from the manufacturer that can be verified afterwards. The electrical contacts  1303  provide the connection to a reader for exchanging data and receiving power, clock and control. The electrical contacts  1303  is in alignment with the opening  1136  of the faceplate  5001  to facilitate connecting a card reader. The round apertures of the plate are disposed to provide rooms for the fastening means of the card reader. Those skilled in the art will recognise that the reader interface can also be constructed with an antenna to form a contactless card for use in an application without appearance of significant metal parts. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated a modified electronic tag  5005 . Alternatively, the housing of electronic tag  5005  has elongated apertures  1138  and a slot  5003  extends from a side surface to engage the fastening means of a card reader, as will be further explained in an embodiment of card reader. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 7-9  there is illustrated an electronic tamper-evident belt fastener  3000  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for identifying the original content wrapped with the belt until it is released for the first time. According to this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener  3000  is constructed with a housing  3100 , a lock means  3200 , a contact smart card  3400 , a disabling means  3240  and a releasing means  3300 . The fastener  3000  is mounted on one end of the belt and a catch  3003  is disposed at another end of the belt. The fastener  3000  engages the catch  3003  with the locking means  3200 . Releasing the catch  3003  from the fastener  3000  will cause fracture the contact smart card  3400 . 
     The housing  3100  of the fastener  3000  is constructed with a faceplate  3101  and a cavity  3108  which receives the contact smart card  3400  and the catch  3003 . The cavity  3108  has a pair of opposed side walls  3103 ,  3104 . Each of the opposed side walls has a slot  3106  to receive the releasing means  3300 . Each of the opposed side walls further has a tab  3109  on the inner surface to engage the locking means  3200 . The faceplate  3101  has a square opening  1136  for receiving a SIM card adaptor of a card reader. The housing  3100  further has elongated apertures  1138  on faceplate  3101  to engage the fastening means of a reader. 
     The locking means  3200  includes a latch  3230  that is constructed with a U-shaped spring. The U-shaped spring has an arm  3231  and an arm  3232 . The arm  3231  has a bend  3233  for engaging the tab  3109  so as to retard the longitudinal movement with respect to the housing  3100 . There is a V-shaped elbow  3234  on the arm  3232  that extends outwardly for receiving the force from disabling means  3340 . There is further a hook  3235  disposed at the end of the arm  3232  and it is biased by the spring for engaging with the catch  3003  so as to fasten the belt on the item. The catch  3003  is constructed with a plate having a pair of sloping surfaces  3301  and a pair of recesses  3302  to engage with the hook  3235  of latch  3230 . The locking means  3200  further has a spacer plate  2330  to restrain the movement of catch  3003  towards faceplate  3101  of housing  3100 . The spacer plate  2330  has an opening  3107  to engage the fastening means of a reader. 
     The releasing means  3300  comprises a pair of levers for user to operate. Each of the levers is L-shaped and constructed with a cam  3222  and a handle  3223 . The handle  3223  has a bevelled corner  3224  at the end thereof to facilitate the lifting operation. The cam  3222  is mounted on and pivots about a fulcrum  3221  between a locked position and an unlocked position. The disabling means  3240  comprises a base plate  3241  and a blade  3242 . The base plate  3241  has opposed sides  3244 ,  3245  and a pair of bevelled corners  3243 . The blade  3242  protrudes from the top surface of the base plate  3241  with the cutting edge toward the contact smart card  3400 . In the locked position, the opposed sides  3244 ,  3245  of the base plate  3241  are in alignment with the straight portion of the arm  3232  of the latch  3230  so that the hook  3235  is biased by the spring and engages the catch  3003 . To release the lock means, one needs to lift the handles  3223  of the levers to the unlocked position so that the cam  3222  urges the disabling means  3240  to slide toward the V-shaped elbows  3234  of the latch  3230 . When the opposed sides  3244 ,  3245  of the base plate  3241  contact the V-shaped elbows of the latch  3230 , the hooks  3235  will be urged apart from each other so as to release the catch  3003 . 
     The contact smart card  3400  has a base plate  3401 , an integrated circuit  1302 , and a reader interface constructed with a plurality of electrical contacts  1303 . Contact smart card  3400  may be fixed to the inner surface of the housing  3100  by means of gluing, screwing or riveting. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 10-11  and  FIG. 31  there is illustrated a modified electronic tamper-evident belt fastener  3005  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for identifying the original content wrapped with a belt until being released for the first time. The fastener  3005  is constructed with a housing  3600 , a lock means  3200 , a releasing means  3300  and a contact smart card  3400 . The fastener  3005  is mounted on one end of the belt and a catch  3003  is disposed at another end of the belt. The fastener  3005  engages catch  3003  with the locking means  3200 . Releasing the fastener  3005  will cause fractures to contact smart card  3400 . 
     In modification, the elongated apertures  1138  are replaced by apertures  1137  for engaging the fastening means of a card reader. The contact smart card  3400  has a base plate  3401 , an integrated circuit  1302 , and a reader interface constructed with a plurality of electrical contacts  1303 . Contact smart card  3400  is mounted on the inner surface of housing  3600  with electrical contacts  1303  is in alignment with a square opening  1136 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 12-16 , there is illustrated an electronic tamper evident lock  2000  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for s identifying the original content in a box until being opened for the first time. The box includes a lid shell  2001  and base shell.  2002 . According to this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the lock  2000  is mounted on the lid shell  2001  and constructed with a housing  2100 , a locking means  2200 , a contact smart card  2300 , a disabling means  2410  and a releasing means  2400 . The lock  2000  locks the box by engaging the locking means  2200  with the catch  2009 . Disengaging the catch  2009  from the locking means  2200  will cause fractures to the contact smart card  2300 . 
     The housing  2100  is constructed with a faceplate  2101  and a cavity  2104 . The faceplate  2101  of the housing  2100  has a rectangular opening  1136  for receiving the SIM card adaptor of a card reader and a plurality of apertures  1137  for engaging with the fastening means of a card reader. The faceplate  2101  further has a rectangular aperture  2109  for receiving the releasing means  2400 . The housing  2100  is fitted in an opening disposed on the lid shell  2001 . A flange  2106  of the housing  2100  facilitates the engagement between the housing  2100  and the lid shell  2001 . The cavity  2104  is for receiving the locking means  2200  and contact smart card  2300 . The cavity  2104  includes a pair of side walls  2102 . 
     The contact smart card  2300  has a base plate  2301 , an integrated circuit  1302 , and a reader interface that is constructed with a plurality of electrical contacts  1303 . The contact smart card  2300  is mounted on the inner surface of the housing  2100  with the electrical contacts  1303  in alignment with the square opening  1136 . The base plate  2301  has a rectangular aperture  2306  dimensioned similar to and disposed in alignment with the aperture  2109  of the housing  2100  for receiving the releasing means  2400 . The base plate  2301  further has a plurality of round apertures  2307  to provide space for the hooks of reader to rotate. The contact smart card  2300  may be fixed onto the inner surface of the housing  2100  by means of gluing, screwing or riveting. 
     The locking means  2200  comprises a spring  2024  and a latch  2201 . Spring  2024  is U-shaped and disposed to bias latch  2201  for locking the box. The latch  2201  comprises a flat rod and a hook  2202  disposed at each end. The flat rod has a first pair of tabs  2204  on one side thereof and a second pair of tabs  2205  on another side thereof. The locking means  2200  further includes a first pair of lugs  2020  and a second pair of lugs  2030  disposed on the inner surface of the lid shell  2001 . The lugs  2020  are to receive tabs  2204  and the lugs  2030  are to receive the tabs  2205 . Thus the latch  2201  is retained by the lugs  2020  and the lugs  2030 , and transversely moveable with respect to the lid shell  2001 . The locking means  2200  further includes a catch  2009  disposed on the inner surface of the base shell  2002 , which is to be engaged with the hook  2202  of the latch  2201 . The flat rod of the latch  2201  further includes a tab  2206  in the middle to engage the releasing means  2400  so as to be urged to disengage the hook  2006  from the catch  2009 . 
     The disabling means  2410  is constructed with a base plate  2411  and a blade  2412 . The blade  2412  is protruding from the top surface of the base plate  2411  with the cutting edge toward the integrated circuit  1302  of the contact smart card  2300 . The base plate  2411  is rectangular-shaped and has a first pair of opposed sides  2413 ,  2414  and a second pair of opposed sides  2415 ,  2416 . The opposed sides  2415 ,  2416  are spaced apart slightly less than the distance between the opposed side walls  2102  of cavity  2104  of housing  2100  so that base plate  2411  is able to slide along the side walls  2102 . The base plate  2411  further has a rectangular aperture  2417  which is preferably dimensioned similar to and positioned to partially intersect the aperture  2109  of the housing  2100  and the aperture  2306  of the contact smart card  2300  so as to form an elongated keyway  2418 . The releasing means  2400  comprises a key  2405  for user to operate. The key  2405  has a shaft  2406  and a holding head  2407 . The shaft  2406  is constructed with a tab having an elongated section that extends from the holding head  2407 . The shaft  2406  of the key  2405  is fitted into the keyway  2418  and rotatable with respect to the housing  2100  between a locked position and an unlocked position. As a consequence, the shaft  2406  drives the disabling means  2410  to move transversely from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the integrated circuit  1302  of the contact smart card  2300  is fractured by the blade  2412  of the disabling means  2410  so that the information stored in the contact smart card  2300  is physically destroyed. In the meantime, the latch  2201  of the locking means  2200  is urged by the disabling means  2410  to disengage from the catch  2009 . Thus the lid shell  2001  is ready to be removed from the base shell  2002 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 17-19  and  FIG. 35  there is illustrated an electronic tamper-evident clamp  4000  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for identifying an item to which it is attached until being removed for the first time. According to this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp  4000  comprises a fulcrum  4001  and a pair of arms  4200 ,  4300  that pivot about the fulcrum  4001  between a locked position and an unlocked position. There is an opening  4700  defined by the jaw portions of opposed arms, which is to receive the item to be sealed. The clamp  4000  further comprises a latch bolt  4100 , a safety plug  4400  and a contact smart card  4500 . The clamp  4000  is locked onto the item through the latch bolt  4100 . Releasing the clamp  4000  will cause fractures to the contact smart card  4500 . 
     The arm  4200  comprises a handle portion  4215  and a jaw portion  4216 . The handle portion  4215  has a faceplate  4210  and a skirt  4211  so that a cavity  4214  is defined. The faceplate  4210  has a square opening  1136  for receiving a SIM card adaptor and a plurality of apertures  1138  for engaging fastening means of a card reader. The skirt  4211  has an aperture  4213  at the lower rim for engaging the safety plug  4400  and a slot  4220  to receive the inserted locking means of a reader. The skirt  4211  further has a pair of opposed apertures to receive the fulcrum  4001 . The jaw portion  4216  of arm  4200  has a recess  4212  on the surface facing toward the arm  4300 . 
     The contact smart card  4500  has a base plate  4501 , an integrated circuit  1302 , and a plurality of electrical contacts  1303 . The contact smart card  4500  is fixed into the cavity  4214  of the arm  4200  by means of gluing, screwing or riveting. The electrical contacts  1303  are accessible through the slot  4220  of the arm  4200 . 
     The arm  4300  comprises a handle portion  4310 , a jaw portion  4320  and a pair of opposed lugs  4313  to receive the fulcrum  4001 . The handle portion  4310  has a prong  4312  that extends towards the integrated circuit  1302  of the contact smart card  4230 . The jaw portion  4320  has a through-hole  4322  disposed in alignment with the aperture  4212  on the opposed arm  4300 . The latch bolt  4100  is fitted in the through-hole  4332  and engaged with the aperture  4212 . The latch bolt  4100  is substantially dimensioned so as to be retained by the through-hole  4332 . As such, a dead loop is formed between the latch bolt  4100 , the jaw portions  4320  and the jaw portion  4216  of the opposed arm  4200 . The handle portion  4310  further has a groove  4311  and the jaw portion  4320  further has an arm  4321  that extrudes outwardly from the side faces to the handle portion  4310 . The arm  4321  is received by the groove  4311  so as to form an extendable mechanism. The arm  4321  has a boss  4326  raised at the end thereof to prevent the complete separation between the jaw portion  4320  and the handle portion  4311 . 
     To remove the clamp from the object attached, it needs to apply force onto the handle portions so as to widen the gap between the jaw portions of the arms. As a consequence, the end of the latch  4100  is removed from the aperture  4212  and the loop previously closed by the latch  4100  is now opened. The jaw  4320  is freed to slide outwardly and this will further facilitate the clamp to separate from the item being attached. The same operation will also cause the prong  4312  to thrust into the integrated circuit  1302  of the contact smart card  4500 . 
     The safety plug  4400  comprises a rod  4401  with a flanged end  4402 . In assembly, the rod  4402  is inserted into the aperture  4213  of the arm  4200  and engaged with the arm  4300  so that the inadvertent relative movement between the arm  4200  and the arm  4300  is therefore prevented. The flanged end  4402  is to facilitate the operation of safety plug  4400 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 20  there is illustrated a modified electronic tamper-evident clamp  4005 . The clamp  4005  comprises a pair of arms  4200 ,  4300  which pivot about a fulcrum  4001  between a locked position and an unlocked position. The clamp  4005  further comprises a latch bolt  4100 , a safety plug  4400  and a contact smart card  4500 . The clamp  4005  is locked onto the item through the latch bolt  4100 . Releasing the clamp  4000  will cause fractures to the contact smart card  4500 . 
     In modification, the slot  4220  and apertures  1137  are replaced by a plurality of apertures  1137  for engaging the fastening means of a card reader. Contact smart card  4500  is mounted on the inner surface of arms  4200  with electrical contacts  1303  is in alignment with a square opening  1136 . The jaw portion  4320  of the arm  4300  further has a slot  4323  on side surface thereof and a cotter  4324 . The slot  4323  intersects the through-hole  4322 . The cotter  4324  is substantially fitted into the slot  4323  and engages the latch  4100  so as to retard axial movement of the latch  4100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 21-25  there is illustrated an electronic tamper-evident cap  1000  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for identifying the original content in a bottle until being opened for the first time. The electronic tamper-evident cap  1000  may be used with a bottle having an annular recess or an annular. Following description is based on a bottle with an annular recess  1001 . According to this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the tamper-evident cap  1000  includes a housing, a locking means  1200 , a contact smart card  1300  and a safety mechanism  1400 . The tamper-evident cap  1000  is locked on the bottle by engaging the locking means  1200  with the recess  1001 . Unlocking the cap  1000  will cause fractures to the contact smart card  1300 . 
     The housing of cap  1000  comprises an inner portion  1110  and an outer portion  1130 . The inner portion  1110  has a faceplate  1111 , a skirt  1112  and a cavity  1113 . The cavity  1113  is constructed to protect the open end of the bottle. The skirt  1112  has a plurality of openings  1201  to provide a passage for the locking means  1200 . The skirt  1112  further has a plurality of circumferential notch  1117  disposed circumferentially to engage with the outer portion  1130  of the housing. Each of the circumferential notches  1117  is constructed with a first pair of opposed sides  1118  and  1119 , and a second pair of opposed sides  1120  and  1121 . The skirt  1112  further has a raised lower portion  1114  which defines a shoulder  1122  at the outer surface thereof to facilitate release of the cap. The faceplate  1111  has an elongated tab  1116  protruding upwardly to form a disabling means. The longer side of tab  1116  is positioned to abut the integrated circuit of the contact smart card  1300 . The outer portion  1130  of the housing has a faceplate  1131 , a skirt  1132 , and a cavity  1133 . The cavity  1333  is contoured to receive the inner portion  1310  and retain the contact smart card  1300  and the locking means  1200 . The skirt  1132  has a plurality of tabs  1134  disposed on the inner surface thereof to engage with the circumferential notch  1117  of the inner portion  1110  so that the outer portion  1130  is rotatable with respect to the inner portion  1110 . In releasing the cap, the tab  1134  travels along the sides  1120 ,  1121  of the circumferential notch  1117  from the side  1118  to the side  1119  between a locked position and an unlocked position respectively. The skirt  1132  further has a plurality of elongated recesses  1202  disposed longitudinally on the inner surface thereof to provide clearance for outward movement of the locking means  1200  as will be explained below. The faceplate  1131  has a square opening  1136  and a plurality of apertures  1137 . The square opening  1136  is disposed to receive the SIM card adaptor of a card reader. The apertures  1137  are to engage the fastening means of a card reader. 
     The contact smart card  1300  comprises an insulator plate  1301 , an integrated circuit  1302 , and a reader interface constructed with a plurality of electrical contacts  1303 . The contact smart card  1300  is mounted on the inner surface of the outer portion  1130  with the electrical contacts  1303  in alignment with the square opening  1136 . The contact smart card  1300  may be mounted on the inner surface of the outer portion  1130  by means of gluing, screwing or riveting. 
     The locking means  1200  comprises a latch bolt constructed with a resilient arm  1211  and a tab  1212  protruding laterally at one end of the resilient arm  1211 . The resilient arm  1211  engages the inner portion  1110  of the housing with another end thereof so that the tab  1212  is moveable in radial direction with respect to the housing. The tab  1212  is received by openings  1201  and biased by the resilient arm  1211  to engage the recess  1001  of the bottle. The tab  1212  has a ramp surface  1213  facing the recess  1001  to facilitate disengaging from the bottle in the unlocked position. However, the engagement between the tab  1212  and the recess  1001  is retained by the inner surface of the outer portion  1130  of the housing in the locked position. To release the locking means  1200  one may hold the lower area  1114  of the inner portion  1110  and twist the outer portion  1130  of the housing in the direction of the unlocked position where the resilient arm  1211  is in alignment with the opening  1202  of the outer portion  1130  of the housing. In the unlocked position, lifting the cap  1000  from the bottle will cause the rim of the recess  1001  to urge the ramp surface  1213  of the tab  1212  so that the resilient arm  1211  is bent outwardly to disengage the tab  1212  from the recess  1001  of the bottle. The rotation of the outer portion  1130  about the inner portion  1110  further moves the elongated tab  1116  of the disabling means to crush the integrated circuit  1302  of the contact smart card  1200  so that the information stored is permanently physically destroyed. 
     The safety mechanism  1400  has a pin  1401  and an enlarged head at one end thereof. There is an aperture  1402  disposed on the inner portion  1120  around the shoulder  1122  and a recess  1403  disposed on the rim of the skirt  1132  of the outer portion  1130 . The pin  1401  of the safety mechanism  1400  is retained by and removable from the aperture  1402 . The outer portion  1130  of the housing engages the safety mechanism  1400  with the recess  1403  thereof. Therefore, the inadvertent rotating movement of the outer portion  1130  against the inner portion  1120  is therefore retarded by the pin  1401 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 26-29  there is illustrated a modified electronic tamper-evident cap  1007 . The electronic tamper-evident cap  1007  may be used with a bottle having an annular recess or an annular. Following description is based on a bottle with an annular protrusion  1006 . According to this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the tamper-evident cap  1007  includes a housing, a locking means  1200 , a contact smart card  1300  and a safety mechanism  1400 . The tamper-evident cap  1007  is locked on the bottle by engaging the locking means  1200  with the protrusion  1002 . Unlocking the cap  1007  will cause fractures to the contact smart card  1300 . 
     The skirt  1112  of the inner portion  1110  has a resilient arm  1145  which extending downwardly outwardly on the outer surface thereof. The skirt  1132  of the outer portion  1130  has an elongated recess  1146  longitudinally disposed on the inner surface thereof to engage with the resilient arm  1145  of the inner portion  1110  so that the outer portion  1130  is axially moveable with respect to the inner portion  1110 . The elongated recess  1146  is constructed with a first pair of opposed sides  1140 ,  1141  and a second pair of opposed sides  1142 ,  1143 . In releasing the cap, the moveable end of resilient arm  1145  travels along the sides  1140 ,  1141  of the recess  1146  between a locked position and an unlocked position respectively. There is a rib  1147  disposed in the middle of the recess  1146  to engage with the moveable end of resilient arm  1145  and retain the locking means  1200  in an unlocked position. To release the locking means  1200  one may press the outer portion  1130  of housing down to the unlocked position where the latch  1210  is in alignment with the opening  1202  of the outer portion  1130  of the housing. In the unlocked position, lifting the cap  1007  from the bottle will cause the protrusion  1006  to urge the ramp surface  1213  of the tab  1212  so that the resilient arm  1211  is bent outwardly to disengage the tab  1212  from the protrusion  1006  of the bottle. 
     In the modification, the faceplate  1111  of the inner portion  1110  of the housing has a cone-shaped prong  1115  protruding upwardly to replace the elongated protrusion as a disabling means. In releasing operation, the downward movement of the outer portion  1130  will cause the cone-shaped prong  1115  to intersect with the integrated circuit  1302  of the contact smart card  1200  so that the information stored is physically destroyed. 
     In the modification, the outer portion  1130  of the housing has a slot  1135  disposed on the skirt  1132  and a plurality of apertures  1138  for securing fastening means of a card reader. 
     In the modification, the inadvertent axial movement of the outer portion  1130  with respect to the inner portion  1120  is retarded by the pin  1401 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 30-32  and  FIG. 37 , there is illustrated a contact smart card reader  7000  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for operating the contact smart card included in the electronic identifying apparatus as explained in the foregoing description. The card reader comprises a housing, a mother board, an interface to the contact smart card, an interface to users and an interface to a portable electronic device. 
     The housing has a base plate  7110  and a cover  7120 . The base plate  7110  has a plurality of openings  7111  at the rim thereof and a rectangular opening  7112  disposed in the longitudinal axis thereof to provide the channel the contact smart card interface. The base plate  7110  further has a plurality of tabs  7113  for mounting the mother board. The cover  7120  comprises a faceplate  7121  and a skirt  7130 . The faceplate  7121  has a rectangular opening  7122  and a plurality of apertures  7124  to facilitate mounting the interface to users. The skirt  7130  has a plurality of ridges  7131  which extend longitudinally and protrude from the inner surface thereof. Each of the ridges  7131  has a T-shaped section for mounting the fastening means of the interface to contact smart card. 
     The interface to contact smart card includes a SIM card adaptor  7310 , shown as CON 1  in  FIG. 37 . The adaptor  7310  is mounted on the bottom surface of the mother board and received by the opening  7112  of the base plate  7110 . The contacts of the SIM card adaptor extend beyond the outer surface of the base plate  7110  so as to facilitate the engagement with the corresponding contacts on the contact smart card. The interface to contact smart card is to provide an electromagnetic channel between the contact smart card and the card reader. Those skilled in the art will recognise that the interface to contact smart card can also include a RF transceiver for operating a RFID. 
     The interface to contact smart card further includes a fastening means comprising a knob  7210 , a transmissions  7220  and a plurality of bolts  7230 . The knob  7210  is mounted on a shaft  7211  and extending from the outer surface of the housing to facilitate the operation thereof. The knob  7210  is to be turned from a locked position and an unlocked position. Each of the bolts  7230  has a bearing  7231  and a shaft rod  7232  with a hook  7233  at one end thereof. The bearing  7231  has a T-shaped groove to engage the housing with the ridge  7131  in order to retain the shaft rod  7232 . The hook  7233  is for engaging the housing of the electronically identifying apparatus. The transmissions  7220  are to couple the rotation of the knob  7210  onto the bolts  7230 . The transmission  7220  has a master gear  7221  and a plurality of slave gears  7223 . The master gear  7221  has a conductor track  7222  on the under surface which is to control the power of the card reader as will be explained below. The master gear  7221  is mounted on the shaft  7211  so as to pivot with the knob  7210 . The slave gear  7223  is mounted on the shaft  7232  so as to drive the hook  7233  to pivot. In operation, the knob  7210  is firstly in the unlocked position, and the hook  7233  is received by the elongated aperture  1137  of the corresponding aperture on the housing of the electronically identifying apparatus. Then the knob  7210  is turned to the locked position, and the hook  7233  is turned at an angle from the elongated aperture  1137  so that it engages with the inner surface of the corresponding housing. To release the card reader, the knob  7210  is turned back to the unlocked position, and the hook  7233  is turned back and in alignment with the elongated aperture  1137 . 
     The mother board of card reader  7000  comprises a PCB, a central operating unit  7350 , a group of batteries, and a pair of spring contacts  7330 . The connection between the batteries and central operating unit  7350  is controlled by the switch SW as shown in  FIG. 37 , which is formed by the springs  7330  and the conductor track  7222  of the master gear  7221  of the fastening means. The batteries are connected when both the springs  7330  engage the track  7222  in a locked position. The batteries are disconnected when either of the springs  7330  disengages from the conductor track  7222  of the lock means in an unlocked position. The central operating unit  7350  includes a microcontroller IC 1  as shown in  FIG. 37 , which is programmed to provide demodulation and modulation for the data between a portable electronic device and the contact smart card. The microcontroller IC 1  further provides clock and control for the contact smart card. 
     The interface to a portable electronic device includes an audio IO port  7370  shown as CON 2  in  FIG. 37  and a Bluetooth module  7400  shown as IC 2  in  FIG. 37 . The audio IO port  7370  is to use a jack plug to connect to a cordless phone or a cell phone that has a headphone socket. The Bluetooth module IC 2  is to connect the card reader with a cellular phone or computer that has Bluetooth connectivity and will exchange the voice-encoded data between the card reader and the cellular phone or PC. The Bluetooth module and the audio port may be switchable. 
     The interface to users includes a LCD display panel  7123  and a speaker SP as shown in  FIG. 37 . The LCD display panel is to provide the users with visual indication of the examination results, and the speaker SP is to deliver the audio announcement of the examination results. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 33-37  there is illustrated a modified contact smart card reader  7005 . The card reader comprises a housing, a mother board, an interface to the contact smart card, an interface to users and an interface to a portable electronic device. 
     In modification, The interface to contact smart card has a SIM card adaptor  7320  and a switch shown as SW in  FIG. 37 . The SIM card adaptor  7320  has a base plate  7322  and a plurality of spring contacts  7321  and a plurality of elongated grooves  7325 . The elongated grooves  7325  to provide compartments for the spring contacts  7321 . Lateral movement of spring contacts  7321  is therefore retarded. Each of the spring contacts  7321  is L-shaped and has an elbow  7323  on the stem thereof to facilitate the connection with the corresponding contacts on the contact smart card. The switch SW comprises a U-shaped spring contact  7341  connected with the batteries, and a fixed contact  7342  connected with the rest circuit of the card reader. One of the arms of the contact  7341  is fixed on the plate  7322 , and the other arm is transversely moveable with respect to the plate  7322 . There is a ramp protrusion  7343  that extends outwardly on the moveable arm. In normal state, the moveable arm of the spring contact  7341  is biased apart from the fixed contact  7342  so that the batteries are disconnected from the rest of the circuit. 
     The interface to contact smart card further has a fastening means comprises a spring plate  7365 , ridges  7361  and a foot  7324 . The spring plate  7365  has a elongated opening  7364  to provide a channel for prong  4312  to travel along when inserted into slot  4220  as shown in  FIG. 18 . The spring plate  7365  is fixed on the base plate  7322  at one end, and covers the extent to which the spring contacts  7321  are disposed along the surface of base plate  7322 . The spring plate  7365  has ramps  7366  at moveable end to facilitate the insertion thereof into slot  4220 . The ridges  7361  and a foot  7324  extend from the base plate  7322  towards the spring plate  7365 . Each of the ridges  7361  has a ramp  7362  to facilitate insertion of card reader. When the card reader is inserted into an electronic identifying apparatus, the spring plate  7365  is received by the slot  4220 , the ridges  7361  are forced by the spring plate  7356  to engage with the apertures  1138  so that the transverse movement of card reader is retarded. In the meantime the outer surface of electronic identifying apparatus urges the ramp protrusion  7343  inwardly so that the moveable arm of the U-shaped spring contact  7341  engages the fixed contact  7342  to form an electrical loop to connect the batteries to the rest of the circuit. The foot  7324  to define an indication of completed insertion of the card reader. The spring plate  7365  has a elongated opening  7364  extends from moveable end thereof to provide a channel for prong  4312  to travel along when inserted into slot  4220  as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognise that the present constructions, products and methods are capable of many modifications and variations, without departing from the scope of the invention which is set forth in appended claims.