Patent Publication Number: US-7707950-B2

Title: Multifunctional, portable security system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a portable security system having a container which encloses a strongbox area for receiving valuables, means for carrying the container, a protection system for protecting the valuables located in the strongbox area, and an access opening, to be able to open the container and make the strongbox area accessible. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   There are greatly varying security cases for transporting objects in need of protection, such as valuables like coins and banknotes, securities, other valuable objects such as precious metals and precious stones, documents to be kept secret, or possibly also toxic materials, rare materials, or material to be shielded in another way, such as radioactive material. 
   The security cases typically have a strongbox area, a protection system, and an access opening, which may be closed and makes the security case accessible in the open state. 
   The protection system is used for the purpose of protecting the owner or possessor of the valuables from a misuse of the valuables, if they are lost in the event of a theft. This is performed by automatically neutralizing and/or devaluing the valuables in such a case. The corresponding known protection systems are costly and complex. 
   As already noted, there are different types of valuables to transport. The cases must have different sizes depending on the type of the valuables. In addition, greatly varying security guidelines may apply. In practice, there is therefore a large number of greatly varying cases in use. 
   It is important for cases of this type that they correspond to the corresponding security guidelines, are portable, and above all are flexibly usable. Current cases only partially fulfill these criteria. In addition, the cases are currently relatively expensive. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the object of the present invention,
         to provide a security system of the type cited at the beginning, which ensures high security and is simple to handle,   to suggest a multifunctional security system of type cited at the beginning, which allows high flexibility in its operability, and   to provide a security system of the type cited at the beginning, which is cost-effective.       

   This object is achieved
         for a security system by the features set forth herein.       

   Preferred refinements of the security system are defined by the dependent claims. 
   The protection system comprises at least one protection module, which is housed either in the strongbox area of the container or in a cassette to be transported, such as a currency cassette. In an emergency, i.e., if the security system is wrongfully handled or actuated, the valuables located therein are neutralized (devalued), i.e., they are damaged or destroyed. 
   The valuables are preferably packed in currency cassettes (ATM cassettes) and these currency cassettes are then laid or inserted into the strongbox area. These currency cassettes have a communication interface to connect them with a circuit of a separate (portable) module. In case of emergency, a protection module located in the currency cassette is triggered to neutralize the valuables using ink or a similar material. 
   A handle or a recessed grip is situated on the separate (portable) module, at which the entire security system may be carried manually, possibly with the aid of an auxiliary device. The recessed grip may be implemented in such a way that it has a light barrier or a mechanical interrupter. As soon as a currency carrier or another authorized person lets go of the security system, the neutralization procedure is triggered. This procedure may be implemented in multiple stages and is externally settable in a preferred embodiment (by a Pocket PC or a computer via an interface). 
   A part of the protection system, namely the security circuit, is housed in the separate (portable) module. This part is the most expensive of the entire security system. Therefore, the module is designed according to the present invention in such a way that it may be placed on various containers. Such a container then becomes a component of the overall security system due to the connection to the module. 
   The security circuit is preferably an electrical/electronic circuit. This security circuit is a part of the protection system. It is an advantage of the present invention that this part of the protection system is located in a protected area of the (portable) module and therefore may not be externally accessed or influenced. 
   In an especially advantageous embodiment, an access opening is located in the upper wall (cover) of the container. The cover is secured by the docking of the (portable) module. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features and characteristics of the present invention are explained in greater detail in the following on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing. 
       FIG. 1  shows a first security system according to the present invention, in a schematic side view; 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic side view of a (portable) module according to  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  shows a second security system according to the present invention, in a schematic sectional view; 
       FIG. 4  shows a third security system according to the present invention, in a schematic sectional view; 
       FIG. 5  shows a schematic detail of the mechanical connection between a (portable) module and a container, according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  shows a fourth security system according to the present invention, in a schematic top view; 
       FIG. 7  shows a schematic detail of the mechanical connection between a further (portable) module and a container according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  shows a container according to the present invention, in a schematic side view, and 
       FIG. 9  shows a security container according to the present invention having additional security precautions, in a horizontal section. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Constructive elements which are identical and/or act identically in principle are provided with identical reference signs in the figures, even if they partially differ from one another. 
     FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention. A security system  100  is shown, which is used for receiving the valuables, in particular during transport. To be able to explain the details of the present invention better, elements which are seated in the interior are indicated by dashed lines in  FIG. 1 . 
   The security system  100  comprises a container  20 , which encloses a strongbox area  22  for receiving valuables. Means  10  are provided for carrying the container  20 . Furthermore, a protection system  12  is provided for protecting the valuables located in the strongbox area  22 . The container  20  has an access opening to open the container  20  and make the strongbox area  22  accessible. This access opening is preferably located in a cover of the container  20 . According to the present invention, at least one protection module  23 ,  41  is provided in the strongbox area  22 . This protection module  23 ,  41  is either seated in the strongbox area  22  itself (cf.  FIG. 4 ) or a (currency) cassette  30  or  40  (cf.  FIG. 3 ) is introduced or inserted into the strongbox area  22 . 
   According to the present invention, the protection module  23 ,  41  is designed for the purpose of neutralizing the valuables located in the strongbox area  22 . The means  10  for carrying are implemented according to the present invention as a separate (portable) module, which has a handle area  11 . 1  having a handle  11 . 2 . Furthermore, a mechanical interface  13  is provided for the mechanical connection to the container  20 . An embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1 , in which the (portable) module  10  has two angles  13  or rails on the bottom. Two counterparts  21 . 1 , such as angles or rails, are provided on the container  20 . In the example shown, the (portable) module  10  may be pushed onto the container  20  from the front and docked in this way. The container  20  is preferably equipped with a docking area  21 . 2  for this purpose. 
   As indicated in  FIG. 1 , the (portable) module  10  comprises a security circuit  12  for securing the entire security system  100 . According to the present invention, a security interface  12 . 1  is provided to be able to establish a communication link between the security circuit  12  and the protection module  23 ,  41  in the strongbox area  22 . This security interface  12 . 1  is indicated by a double arrow in the figures, because it is a security interface which permits two-way communication. 
   In the security system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , a (currency) cassette  30  is stored and protected in the strongbox area  22 . 
   A side view of the (portable) module  10  without container  20  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The (portable) module  10  is preferably manufactured from Kydex®, to prevent manipulation or damage. The (portable) module  10  shown may be combined with greatly varying containers. Therefore, a container which corresponds to the current requirements may be selected as needed. Depending on the number of currency cassettes to be retrieved, for example, a small or a large container may be taken along by the currency carrier. The currency carrier may grasp and carry the container by simple docking. 
   After the (portable) module  10  has been removed, the container  20  is preferably switched into a special mode to ensure additional protection against manipulation. During the transport using the (portable) module  10 , the security circuit  12  may assume control over certain functions. 
   A schematic section through another container  20  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The docking point  21 . 1  is recognizable in the upper area. Two rails  21 . 1  are provided on the lateral walls. However, there are also other possibilities for producing a mechanically detachable connection between such a (portable) module  10  and a container  20 . In the example shown, two (currency) cassettes  40  are located in the strongbox area  22 . The cassettes  40  both stand upright and are inserted from above when cover  25  is open. At least one protection module  41  is located in each of the cassettes  40 . There is space for valuables  42 , such as banknote bundles, next to the protection modules  41 . There is a security interface  12 . 1  with each of the two cassettes  40 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a further container  20 , which is taller than that shown in  FIG. 3 . This container  20  is designed for the purpose of directly receiving valuables  42 . In order to ensure this protection, protection modules  23  are situated on both sides. There is also a security interface  12 . 1  here to connect a docked (portable) module  10  to the protection modules  23 , so that they may be triggered in case of emergency to neutralize the valuables. 
   According to the present invention, it is especially important that a mechanically stable connection is easily producible between the (portable) module  10  and a container  20 . However, this mechanical connection must be easily detachable again, in order to be able to remove the (portable) module  10  and use it in another way. A stable mechanical connection is necessary in particular because the security interface  12 . 1  between the (portable) module  10  and the container  20  must function reliably and without malfunction. 
   A detail of a security system is shown in  FIG. 5  to be able to explain a possible embodiment of the mechanical connection. In the embodiment shown, a latch  13 . 3 , which is mounted movably in a bearing  13 . 1  via an axis  13 . 2 , is seated on the bottom of the (portable) module  10 . This latch  13 . 3  may be pivoted out of the plane of the drawing or into the plane of the drawing. On the opposite side, an element  21 . 2  is located on the cover  25  of the container  20 , in which the latch  13 . 3  may latch. The element  21 . 2  is supported by a bearing  21 . 3 . 
   Instead of one latch  13 . 3 , two separate latches may also be used. However, it is also possible according to the present invention to operate entirely without latches, as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
   It is expressly noted that the methods and devices described for docking are solely to be viewed as examples, and greatly varying other methods, in particular mechanical, pneumatic, and electromechanical types, may be used for docking. 
   An example of an electrical connection is shown in a top view in  FIG. 6 . In the illustration shown, a (portable) module  10  is seated in the docking area on the container  20 . The recessed grip  11 . 1  having the handle  11 . 2  may be recognized in  FIG. 6 . As indicated by an arrow A, the (portable) module  10  may be pulled out of the docking area  12 . 1 . A plug element  13 . 3  is located on the rear of the (portable) module  10 , which produces an electrical connection to a plug element  21 . 4 , which is located on a rear wall of the container  20 , in the docked state. 
     FIG. 7  shows a schematic section through a part of a security system. The construction of a possible embodiment of a contactless connection  12 . 1  is explained on the basis of this section. A security circuit  12  is seated inside the (portable) module  10 . Only a lower wall of the (portable) module  10  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The security circuit  12  comprises a transmitter  12 . 2 . This may be an infrared transmitter, for example. However, transmitters which operate in another wavelength range may also be used. An RF transmitter may also be used. 
   In the example shown, a (currency) cassette  40  is located inside the container  20 . Only one corner may be recognized of this cassette  40 . A protection module  41  is seated inside the cassette  40 . A receiver  41 . 1  (such as an IR detector) is seated in the upper area of the cassette  40 , which is connected to a circuit or to the protection module  41 , for example, as indicated in  FIG. 7  by the arrow  41 . 2 . 
   An opening is provided in each case in the lower wall of the (portable) module  10 , the cover  25  of the container  20 , and the cassette  40 . When the (portable) module  10  and the container  20  are mechanically connected to one another (e.g., using hooks  13 /rails  21 . 1  and/or using a latch connection) and the cassette  40  is in a permanently predefined position, for example, all three openings lie one above the other. A continuous optical link may thus be established, as indicated by the double arrow  12 . 3 . A transparent element or a lens  21 . 5  may be provided in the cover  25  of the container  20 . 
   Using an inductive or capacitive coupling as a link is also conceivable. 
   The communication link is preferably a link which allows encrypted communication. 
   A side view of an embodiment of the container  20  is shown in  FIG. 8 . The cover  25  of the container  20  is open and the strongbox area may be filled. In the embodiment shown, the cover  25  carries the two elements  21 . 2  and  21 . 3 , which are shown in greater detail in  FIG. 5 . It is important that the cover  25  is protected against opening after the docking of the (portable) module  10 . 
   The (portable) module  10  is generally used for the purpose of manually transporting the security system  100  without further aids. Measures may also be taken to manually lift and displace the security system  100  with the aid of an additional device, or to transport the security system  100  in an automated conveyance system. 
   It is also possible and may be used for increased security and/or standalone security if the container and the portable module are implemented in such a way that only one opening of the container coupled to the portable module is possible. 
   The recessed grip  11 . 1  or another area of the security system  100  may be implemented in such a way that it triggers the neutralization via a light barrier or a cable in the event it is snatched or put down. An interface may also be provided to be able to program the security system  100  externally using a PDA or a computer in combination with the recessed grip  11 . 1  or in another way. 
   The protection system having a security circuit and at least one protection module  41  is used for the purpose of protecting the valuables  42  located in the strongbox area  22  in case of emergency, i.e., for example in the event of handling or actuation of the security system  100  by an individual unauthorized for this purpose, or above a specific temperature. This protection comprises preventing misuse of the valuables  42  by neutralizing (devaluing) them in some suitable way. This neutralization may be performed, for example, in such a way that the valuables  42  may retain or reacquire their value for the authorized owner or possessor. 
   In the present exemplary embodiment, the protection modules  23 ,  41  are modules having free-flowing materials which, preferably under pressure, discharge powdered, pasty, or liquid materials, in particular inks, preferably from two sides, onto the valuables  42 , by which the latter are devalued. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, four protection modules  23  may also be provided, which are situated in such a way that the free-flowing materials are discharged from multiple directions onto the valuables in the strongbox area, to ensure that each of the valuables is reached by free-flowing material. In any case, it is advantageous to situate more than one protection module  23 . 
   A heater may be provided for additional security of the valuables, using which receptacles, in particular plastic receptacles, which contain the valuables may be melted, so that the valuables are actually reached by the free-flowing materials such as inks, even if they are supplied in such receptacles. The heater may be started by activated ignition fuses. As also shown in  FIG. 9 , these ignition fuses may be situated separately, as indicated schematically by  23 . 1 , or may be inserted into a housing and/or a housing wall of the modules  23  containing the free-flowing material. 
   The protection system may be implemented in such a way that it is possible to access the strongbox area  22  with or without actuation of an additional auxiliary element such as a (contactless) key. 
   The valuables may additionally be protected by providing a mechanical or electronic seal. Such a seal is not primarily intended to obstruct opening of the container, but rather to be able to establish unauthorized, but unforced opening, for example, by the currency carrier himself. 
   Finally, the container  20  may also be implemented in such a way that it has a separate security electronic system, which may be implemented similarly to the security circuit of a (currency) cassette. 
   A thermoplastic material, preferably a Kydex® material, has been shown to be a suitable material for the container  20  and/or the (portable) module  10  or for parts thereof. However, greatly varying other materials are also suitable for producing the security system  100 . 
   The security system  100  preferably has a surface protection. For this purpose, the security system  100  may be provided with a protective film, a net, or a fabric to provide a protection against breaking open, cutting through, or drilling through. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the security system  100  may have an interface to read an RFID chip or a barcode in order to only then allow release (opening). Such an RFID chip or barcode may be situated at the target location (for example, at a bank). The security system  100  is only released after recognition of the RFID chip or the barcode. 
   A time window may preferably be predefined for the circuit of the (portable) module  10 , the automatic neutralization being initiated after the time window has been exceeded. 
   The security circuit  12  is preferably designed in such a way that in case of emergency an LED begins to blink after a bouncing time. A prealarm then occurs, for example, acoustically, followed by a main alarm. The neutralization only occurs after this alarm phase. This sequence is preferably externally programmable (using a Pocket PC or computer). 
   Smoke is preferably discharged by the security modules in the security case upon the neutralization. This has a signal effect and thus prevents a perpetrator from carrying along the security case. 
   A further security precaution may comprise situating an airbag system on the container, for example. Such an airbag system must be conceived in such a way that it is activated or activatable in the event of unauthorized handling of the container. Unauthorized handling and transport of the container is made more difficult by the volume increase occurring upon actuation of the airbag system.