Patent Abstract:
A tamper-resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal including a shaft portion, a sensor, a socket arranged to engage the shaft portion and the sensor in a monitorable manner and a wireless communicator associated with at least one of the shaft portion, the sensor and the socket and being operative to provide a remotely monitorable indication of at least one monitorable event, the sensor being operative to sense application of force to the electronic seal in an attempt to separate the shaft portion from the socket and to indicate the application of force as one of the at least one monitorable event.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to electronic seals generally and more particularly to tamper-resistant electronic seals. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The following U.S. Patents are believed to be representative of the prior art: 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,750,197; 5,056,837; 5,097,253; 5,127,687; 5,169,188; 5,189,396; 5,406,263; 5,421,177; 5,587,702; 5,656,996 and 6,069,563. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention seeks to provide an improved electronic seal. 
   There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a tamper-resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal including a shaft portion, a sensor, a socket arranged to engage the shaft portion and the sensor in a monitorable manner and a wireless communicator associated with at least one of the shaft portion, the sensor and the socket and being operative to provide a remotely monitorable indication of at least one monitorable event, the sensor being operative to sense application of force to the electronic seal in an attempt to separate the shaft portion from the socket and to indicate the application of force as one of the at least one monitorable event. 
   Preferably, the sensor is also operative to sense disengagement of the shaft portion and the sensor and to indicate the disengagement as one of the at least one monitorable event. 
   In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal also includes a sensing cap mounted on the shaft portion and supporting the sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor includes a temperature sensor which is operative to monitor heating of the socket and to indicate heating thereof beyond a predetermined threshold as one of the at least one monitorable event. 
   In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal also includes at least one retaining ring engaging the socket and the shaft portion for retaining the sensing cap in the socket independently of the shaft portion and wherein the shaft portion includes a frangible portion, whereby application of a force to separate the shaft portion from the socket causes breakage between the sensing cap and the shaft portion at the frangible portion, which breakage is one of the at least one monitorable event. 
   In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket includes a single-use socket. Alternatively, the socket is a mechanically lockable socket. 
   In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket includes a transponder and the shaft portion includes an inductor, the transponder being operative to transmit information relating to the socket, via the inductor, to the wireless communicator. Preferably, the transponder includes an RF transponder and the inductor includes an RF receive/transmit inductor and wherein the inductor communicates via at least one conductor extending through the shaft portion to the wireless communicator. 
   In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion includes at least one conductor which is interrupted in response to disengagement of the shaft portion and the sensor and wherein the disengagement results in one of the at least one monitorable event. 
   Preferably, the communicator is located in a sensing circuitry and communicator housing integrally formed with the shaft portion. 
   In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is associated with the at least one conductor at least one propinquity switch which is operated by an actuator associated with the socket whereby when the shaft portion is separated from the socket the switch is opened and the at least one conductive path is broken, producing one of the at least one monitorable event. Preferably, the at least one propinquity switch includes at least one magnetic switch and the actuator includes a magnet. 
   Further in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion includes a frangible shaft portion having a lockable portion and the socket includes a locking element arranged to engage the lockable portion in a removable manner, whereby disengagement of the locking element and the shaft portion results in one of the at least one monitorable event. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of a press-fit electronic seal assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1C  is a sectional illustration of a portion of the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are simplified pictorial illustrations of different types of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 1A–1C ; 
       FIGS. 2D ,  2 E and  2 F are simplified pictorial illustrations showing the result of another attempt to tamper with the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 1A–1C ; 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in respective unlocked and locked operative orientations; 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention in respective unlocked and locked operative orientations; and 
       FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C are simplified pictorial illustrations of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention in three operative orientations. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C, which are, respectively, simplified pictorial illustrations and a sectional illustration of a press-fit electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C, there is provided a tamper-resistant electronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion  10 , which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12 . Shaft portion  10  preferably has a generally cylindrical configuration and terminates in a press-fit tip  14 , which includes a sensing cap  16  fixed within a recess  17  formed at a forward end thereof and which adapted for press-fit engagement with a socket  18 . The press-fit engagement between tip  14  of shaft portion  10  and socket  18  is preferably constructed such that it is impossible to remove the press-fit tip  14  from the socket  18  without breaking the shaft portion  10 . The press-fit engagement between press-fit tip  14  and socket  18  is such that the application of a low-level force to the socket  18  or the shaft portion  10  causes part of the press-fit tip  14  including the sensing cap  16  to separate from the shaft portion  10 , as described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 2A . 
   Shaft portion  10  preferably includes weakened frangible portions  22 ,  24  and  25 . Frangible portions  22 ,  24  and  25  typically have a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  10 . Frangible portion  22  is preferably located intermediate sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12  and most of shaft portion  10 . Frangible portions  24  and  25  are preferably located in shaft portion  10  at a location adjacent tip  14 . Typical locations of frangible portions  22 ,  24  and  25  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
   At least one conductive loop  26  preferably extends from sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12  through shaft portion  10 , preferably extending into recess  17 , and is configured and mounted in shaft portion  10 , such that breakage of the shaft portion  10  produces a disconnection or significant change in the properties, such as the electromagnetic, mechanical and/or thermal properties, of the conductive loop  26 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing cap  16  is attached to press-fit tip  14  such that it is in contact, preferably electrical contact, with conductive loop  26 . Sensing cap  16  preferably includes at least one sensor  28 , such as a temperature sensor or any other suitable sensor. Sensor  28  is preferably connected to conductive loop  26 , such as by crimping. Conductive loop  26  is operative to transmit information from the sensor  28  to sensing circuitry  30 , forming part of sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12 . 
   It is appreciated that, even though in the illustrated embodiment sensor  28  is located on sensing cap  16 , one or more sensors  28  may alternatively be located at any suitable location in communication with conductive loop  26 . 
   Socket  18  also preferably comprises a sealing ring  32 , which preferably engages a recess defining frangible portion  24 , and a sealing ring  34 , which preferably engages a recess defining frangible portion  25 . Sealing rings  32  and  34  preferably provide press-fit engagement between press-fit tip  14  and socket  18 . 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transceiver, preferably an RF transceiver  38 , also forms part of sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12 . Sensing circuitry  30  preferably is electrically coupled to conductive loop  26  and senses the integrity thereof. In another preferred embodiment, sensing circuitry  30  is also operative to receive indications from sensor  28 , such as changes in temperature, which might be caused, for example, by someone attempting to tamper with the electronic seal by heating the socket  18 . Alternatively, sensing circuitry  30  may be operative to receive indications of engagement or disengagement of shaft portion  10  with respect to sealing rings  32  and  34  or socket  18 . 
   Transceiver  38  receives an output from sensing circuitry  30 , which is operative to provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loop  26  is intact as well as other information received from sensor  28  via conductive loop  26 . Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  38  indicating tampering with the seal, which results in breakage of the conductive loop  26  and/or any other information received from sensor  28 , such as heating of the socket  18  or engagement or disengagement of the shaft portion  10 . 
   In accordance with another preferred embodiment, sealing ring  34  includes at least one engagement protrusion  40  and frangible portion  25  includes at least one corresponding engagement recess  42 . In this embodiment, frangible portion  25  is locked by sealing ring  34 , such that a low level force causes the disconnection of the sensing cap  16  and the part of tip  14  adjacent thereto from the shaft portion  10 , as described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 2A . Alternatively, at least one engagement protrusion (not shown) may be located in socket  18  which engages at least one engagement slot (not shown) located in sensing cap  16 . The insertion of engagement protrusion  40  into engagement recess  42  preferably locks the sensing cap  16  into the socket  18 , such that a low level force causes the disconnection of the sensing cap  16  from shaft portion  10 , as described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 2A . Engagement protrusion  40  may be flexible to provide enhanced ease of engagement with engagement location  42 . Alternatively, engagement protrusion  40  and corresponding engagement recess  42  may be obviated. 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of various different types of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 1A–1C  by tampering therewith. As noted above, application of force to the seal of  FIGS. 1A–1C  in an attempt to separate shaft portion  10  from socket  18  will not cause tip  14  to be disengaged from socket  18 , without first breaking the shaft portion  10 .  FIG. 2A  shows that applying a low level force, such as a rotational and/or lateral force in an attempt to open the seal, results in a break at frangible portion  25 , causing a significant change in or disconnection of conductive loop  26 . Preferably, the sensing circuitry  30  senses the change in conductive loop  26 , even though the seal remains intact as shaft portion  10  is engaged by sealing ring  32 . 
     FIG. 2B  shows the results of applying a higher level force, such as might be produced by attempting to remove socket  18  from shaft portion  10 , resulting in a break at frangible portion  24 , producing a disconnection in conductive loop  26 . 
     FIG. 2C  illustrates a break, which might be produced in a similar manner as that shown in  FIG. 2B , at the frangible portion  22 . It is seen that this break also typically produces a disconnection in conductive loop  26 . 
   It is appreciated that the breaks shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , while illustrated independently of the break produced in  FIG. 2A , may be preceded by the break in  FIG. 2A  when an attempt is made to tamper with the electronic seal. 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2D ,  2 E and  2 F which are simplified pictorial illustrations of another attempt to tamper with the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 1A–1C . As seen in  FIG. 2D , an attempt is made to separate socket  18  from shaft portion  10  of the tamper-resistant electronic seal by sawing through socket  18  in the region of tip  14  of shaft portion  10 .  FIG. 2E  shows the resulting cut in socket  18 , where shaft portion  10  has not been cut.  FIG. 2F  shows that the resulting separation of the socket  18  causes a break along frangible portion  25 , resulting in a disconnection of conductive loop  26 . 
   It is appreciated that any significant change in the properties, such as the electromagnetic, mechanical and/or thermal properties, or disconnection of conductive loop  26  is sensed by sensing circuitry  30  and transmitted by RF transceiver  38 . 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in respective unlocked and locked operative orientations. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there is provided a tamper-resistant reusable lockable electronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion  50 , which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  52 . Shaft portion  50  preferably has a generally cylindrical configuration and terminates in a lockable tip  54 , preferably formed with an undercut groove  56  which is adapted for lockable engagement therewith by a corresponding locking element  58  forming part of a lock  60 . Lock  60  defines a socket, which includes an actuator such as a magnet  61 . Lock  60  is here shown to be a key-operated lock, it being appreciated that any other suitable type of lock may be employed. The locking engagement between tip  54  of shaft portion  50  and locking element  58  is preferably such that without first unlocking the lock, it is impossible to remove the tip  54  from engagement with the locking element  58  without breaking the shaft portion  50 . Lockable tip  54  is preferably attached to or integrally formed with a sensing cap  62 . 
   Shaft portion  50  preferably includes weakened frangible portions  63 ,  64  and  65 , preferably having a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  50 . Frangible portion  63  is preferably located intermediate sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  52  and most of shaft portion  50 . Frangible portions  64  and  65  are preferably located in shaft portion  50  at a location adjacent tip  54 . Typical locations of frangible portions  63 ,  64  and  65  are illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
   At least one conductive loop  66  preferably extends through shaft portion  50  and is configured and mounted in shaft portion  50 , such that breakage of the shaft portion  50  produces a disconnection or significant change in the properties, such as the electromagnetic, mechanical and/or thermal properties, of the conductive loop  66 . Preferably connected in series with conductive loop  66  there is provided a propinquity switch which is operated when the actuator in the socket is separated therefrom by at least a threshold distance. Preferably, the propinquity switch is a magnetically operated switch  68 , which is closed only when in propinquity to magnet  61 , such as when shaft portion  50  is in lockable or locked engagement with lock  60 . 
   It is appreciated that shaft portion  50  may comprise one or more additional conductive loops, each of which may include a switch, the operation of which may or may not be linked to the operation of lock  60  and may provide additional information regarding the integrity of the electronic seal. 
   Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing cap  62  is in electrical contact with conductive loop  66 . Sensing cap  62  preferably includes at least one sensor  70 , such as a temperature sensor or other suitable sensor, and communicates via conductive loop  66  with sensing circuitry  72 . 
   It is appreciated that, even though in the illustrated embodiment sensor  70  is located adjacent lockable tip  54 , one or more sensors  70  may alternatively be located at any suitable location in communication with conductive loop  66 . 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing circuitry  72  and an RF transceiver  74  are housed within sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  52 . Sensing circuitry  72  is electrically coupled to conductive loop  66  and senses the integrity thereof. Additionally, sensing circuitry  72  is also operative to receive indications from sensor  70 , such as a change in temperature, which might be caused, for example, by someone attempting to tamper with the electronic seal by heating the lock  60 . Transceiver  74  preferably receives an output from sensing circuitry  72 , which is operative to provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loop  66  is intact as well as information received from sensor  70  via conductive loop  66 . 
   Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  74  and indicates when the shaft portion  50  is located in lockable or locked engagement with lock  60  and when the shaft portion  50  is separated from lock  60  due to either tampering with the seal, which may or may not result in breakage of the shaft portion  50 , or mutual disengagement of shaft portion  50  and lock  60  by using a key to unlock lock  60 . 
   It is appreciated that the provision of the switch  68  enables sensing circuitry  72  to sense when the shaft portion  50  is located in lockable engagement with lock  60  and when the shaft portion  50  is separated from lock  60  for any reason, and allows for recording of engagements and disengagements of shaft portion  50  and lock  60 . 
   It is appreciated that the switch shown in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 3A–3B  can also be employed in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A–2F . 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in respective unlocked and locked operative orientations. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there is provided a tamper-resistant reusable lockable electronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion  150 , which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  152 . Shaft portion  150  preferably has a generally cylindrical configuration and terminates in a lockable tip  154 , preferably formed with an undercut groove  156  which is adapted for lockable engagement therewith by a corresponding locking element  158  forming part of a lock  160 . Lock  160  defines a socket, which preferably includes an actuator such as a magnet  161 . Lock  160  is here shown to be a key-operated lock, it being appreciated that any other suitable type of lock may be employed. The locking engagement between tip  154  of shaft portion  150  and locking element  158  is preferably such that without first unlocking the lock, it is impossible to remove the tip  154  from engagement with the locking element  158  without breaking the shaft portion  150 . Lockable tip  154  is preferably attached to or integrally formed with a sensing cap  162 . 
   Shaft portion  150  preferably includes weakened frangible portions  163 ,  164  and  165 , preferably having a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  150 . Frangible portion  163  is preferably located intermediate sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  152  and most of shaft portion  150 . Frangible portions  164  and  165  are preferably located in shaft portion  150  at a location adjacent tip  154 . Typical locations of frangible portions  163 ,  164  and  165  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
   At least one conductive loop  166  preferably extends through shaft portion  150  and is configured and mounted in shaft portion  150 , such that breakage of the shaft portion  150  produces a disconnection or significant change in the properties, such as the electromagnetic, mechanical and/or thermal properties, of the conductive loop  166 . Preferably connected in series with conductive loop  166  there is provided a propinquity switch which is operated when the actuator in the socket is separated therefrom by at least a threshold distance. Preferably, the propinquity switch is a magnetically operated switch  168 , which is closed only when in propinquity to magnet  161 , such as when shaft portion  150  is in lockable or locked engagement with lock  160 . 
   It is appreciated that shaft portion  150  may comprise one or more additional conductive loops, each of which may include a switch, the operation of which may or may not be linked to the operation of lock  160  and may provide additional information regarding the integrity of the electronic seal. 
   Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing cap  162  is in electrical contact with conductive loop  166 . Sensing cap  162  preferably includes at least one sensor  170 , such as a temperature sensor or other suitable sensor, and communicates via conductive loop  166  with sensing circuitry  172 . 
   It is appreciated that, even though in the illustrated embodiment sensor  170  is located adjacent lockable tip  154 , one or more sensors  170  may alternatively be located at any suitable location in communication with conductive loop  166 . 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing circuitry  172  and an RF transceiver  174  are housed within sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  152 . Sensing circuitry  172  is electrically coupled to conductive loop  166  and senses the integrity thereof. In another preferred embodiment, sensing circuitry  172  is also operative to receive indications from sensor  170 , such as a change in temperature, which might be caused, for example, by someone attempting to tamper with the electronic seal by heating the lock  160 . Transceiver  174  preferably receives an output from sensing circuitry  172 , which is operative to provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loop  166  is intact as well as information received from sensor  170  via conductive loop  166 . 
   Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  174  and indicates when the shaft portion  150  is located in lockable or locked engagement with lock  160  and when the shaft portion  150  is separated from lock  160  due to either tampering with the seal, which may or may not result in breakage of the shaft portion  150 , or mutual disengagement of shaft portion  150  and lock  160  by using a key to unlock lock  160 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the tamper-resistant reusable lockable electronic seal also preferably includes a transponder  180 , such as an RF transponder chip, and shaft portion  150  preferably includes an inductor  182 , such as an RF receive/transmit inductor. Transponder  180  is operative to transmit information relating to the lock  160 , via the inductor  182  located in shaft portion  150 , to the sensing circuitry  172 . 
   It is appreciated that the provision of the transponder  180  and the inductor  182  enables sensing circuitry  172  to record information transmitted by transponder  180  relating to the lock  160 , such as, for example, a serial number of the lock  160 , and the fact that shaft portion  150  is in locking engagement therewith. It is further appreciated that the provision of the transponder  180  and the inductor  182  enables sensing circuitry  172  to sense when the shaft portion  150  is located in lockable or locked engagement with lock  160  or when the shaft portion  150  is separated from lock  160  for any reason, and allows for recording of engagements and disengagements of shaft portion  150  and lock  160 . 
   Additionally, it is appreciated that the provision of the switch  168  enables sensing circuitry  172  to sense when the shaft portion  150  is located in lockable engagement with lock  160  and when the shaft portion  150  is separated from lock  160  for any reason, and allows for recording of engagements and disengagements of shaft portion  150  and lock  160 . 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a press-fit electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , there is provided a tamper-resistant reusable electronic seal which preferably comprises a reusable shaft portion  250 , which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  252 . Shaft portion  250  preferably has a generally cylindrical configuration and terminates in a press-fit tip  254 , which includes a sensing cap  256  fixed within a recess (not shown) formed at a forward end thereof and adapted for press-fit engagement with a single-use locking socket  258 . The press-fit engagement between tip  254  of shaft portion  250  and single-use locking socket  258  is preferably constructed such that it is impossible to remove the tip  254  from the single-use locking socket  258  without breaking either the shaft portion  250  or the single-use locking socket  258 . The press-fit engagement between press-fit tip  254  and single-use locking socket  258  is such that the application of a low-level force to the single-use locking socket  258  or the shaft portion  250  causes part of the press-fit tip  254  including the sensing cap  256  to separate from the shaft portion  250 , similar to that described hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 2A . 
   Shaft portion  250  preferably includes a weakened frangible portion  263 , located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  252  and the tip  254 . Frangible portion  263  typically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  250 . Additional frangible portions (not shown) may also be included at suitable locations along shaft portion  250 . 
   At least one conductive loop  266  preferably extends from sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  252  through shaft portion  250  and tip  254  and is configured and mounted in shaft portion  250 , such that breakage of the shaft portion  250  produces a disconnection or significant change in the properties, such as the electromagnetic, mechanical and/or thermal properties, of the conductive loop  266 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing cap  256  is attached to tip  254  such that it is in electrical contact with conductive loop  266 . Sensing cap  256  preferably includes at least one sensor  270 , such as a temperature sensor or any other suitable sensor. Sensor  270  is preferably electrically connected to conductive loop  266  and is operative to transmit information via conductive loop  266  to sensing circuitry  272 . 
   It is appreciated that, even though in the illustrated embodiment sensor  270  is located adjacent sensing cap  256 , one or more sensors  270  may alternatively be located at any suitable location in communication with conductive loop  266 . 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing circuitry  272  and a transceiver, such as an RF transceiver  274 , are housed within sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  252 . Sensing circuitry  272  preferably is electrically coupled to conductive loop  266  and senses the integrity thereof. Additionally, sensing circuitry  272  is preferably also operative to receive indications from sensor  270 , such as changes in temperature, which might be caused, for example, by someone attempting to tamper with the electronic seal by heating the single-use locking socket  258 . Alternatively, sensing circuitry  272  may be operative to receive indications of engagement or disengagement of shaft portion  250  from single-use locking socket  258 , as described hereinbelow. 
   Transceiver  274  receives an output from sensing circuitry  272 , which is operative to provide information indicating whether the conductive loop  266  is intact as well as information received from sensor  270  via conductive loop  266 . Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  274  indicating tampering with the seal, which results in breakage of the conductive loop  266  and/or any other information received from sensor  270 , such as heating or removal of the single-use locking socket  258 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the single-use locking socket  258  preferably includes a transponder  280 , such as an RF transponder chip, and shaft portion  250  preferably includes an inductor  282 , such as an RF receive/transmit inductor. Transponder  280  is operative to transmit information relating to the single-use locking socket  258 , via the inductor  282  located in shaft portion  250 , to the sensing circuitry  272 . It is appreciated that the provision of the transponder  280  and the inductor  282  enables sensing circuitry  272  to record information about the single-use locking socket  258 , such as, for example, a serial number of the single-use locking socket  258  and the fact that shaft portion  250  is in locking engagement therewith. It is further appreciated that the provision of the transponder  280  and the inductor  282  enables sensing circuitry  272  to sense when the shaft portion  250  is in engagement with single-use locking socket  258  and when the shaft portion  250  is separated from single-use locking socket  258 . 
     FIG. 5C  illustrates the breakage of single-use locking socket  258  and separation of reusable shaft portion  250 . 
   It is appreciated that the switch shown in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 3A–3B  can also be employed in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5A–5C . 
   It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the specification and which are not in the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6