Patent Abstract:
A tamper-resistant remotely monitorable electronic seal including a shaft portion ( 10 ), a socket arranged to engage the shaft position in a monitorable manner, whereby disengagement of the socket (12) and the shaft portion results in a monitorable event, and a wireless communicator associated with at least one of the shaft portion and the socket and being operative to provide a remotely monitorable indication of the monitorable event.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to electronic seals generally and more particularly to tamper-resistant electronic seals.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The following U.S. Patents are believed to be representative of the prior art:  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 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  
       [0004]     The present invention seeks to provide an improved electronic seal.  
         [0005]     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 socket arranged to engage the shaft portion in a monitorable manner, whereby disengagement of the socket and the shaft portion results in a monitorable event, and a wireless communicator associated with at least one of the shaft portion and the socket and being operative to provide a remotely monitorable indication of the monitorable event. Preferably, the wireless communicator is a transceiver. Additionally, the shaft portion includes at least one conductive path which is interrupted in response to disengagement of the socket and the shaft portion and wherein the wireless communicator is operative to provide a remotely monitorable indication of the monitorable event.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion includes a frangible shaft portion having a press-fit tip, the socket includes a press-fit socket arranged to engage the press-fit tip in a destructably removable manner, whereby disengagement of the socket and the shaft portion results in breakage of the shaft portion, the at least one conductive path extends at least through the shaft portion and is breakable in response to breakage of the shaft portion, and the wireless communicator is associated with at least one of the shaft portion and the press-fit socket and is operative to provide a remotely monitorable indication of the integrity or lack of integrity of the at least one conductive path. Preferably, the at least one conductive path is defined by conductors extending through the shaft portion which are in electrical contact with a conductor formed in the press-fit socket when the shaft portion and the socket are in press-fit engagement. Additionally, the press-fit tip includes a toothed tip. Alternatively, the at least one conductive path includes at least one reed switch which is operated by a magnet associated with the socket whereby when the shaft portion is separated from the socket for any reason, the at least one conductive path is broken.  
         [0007]     In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion includes a frangible shaft portion having a lockable portion, the socket includes a locking element arranged to engage the lockable portion in a destructably removable manner, whereby disengagement of the locking element and the shaft portion results in breakage of the shaft portion, the at least one conductive path extends at least through the shaft portion and is breakable in response to breakage of the shaft portion, and the wireless communicator is associated with at least one of the shaft portion and the socket and is operative to provide a remotely monitorable indication of the integrity or lack of integrity of the at least one conductive path. Preferably, the shaft portion includes a groove adaptable for lockable engagement with the locking element. Additionally, the at least one conductive path includes at least one reed switch which is operated by a magnet associated with the socket whereby when the shaft portion is separated from the socket for any reason, the at least one conductive path is broken.  
         [0008]     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communicator is located in a sensing circuitry and communicator housing integrally formed with the shaft portion. Preferably, the frangible shaft portion includes at least one frangible location having relatively weak mechanical strength as compared with other portions of the shaft portion.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
         [0010]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a press-fit electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the lockable electronic seal of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a press-fit electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 5A and 5B ;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0017]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the lockable electronic seal of  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a press-fit electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]     As seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , 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 , preferably formed with a series of circumferential teeth  16  which are adapted for press-fit engagement with corresponding tooth-like recesses formed in a socket  18 . The press-fit engagement between tip  14  of shaft portion  10  and socket  18  is preferably such that it is impossible to remove the tip  14  from the socket  18  without breaking the shaft portion  10 .  
         [0020]     Shaft portion  10  preferably includes a weakened frangible portion  20 , located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12  and the tip  14 . Frangible portion  20  is preferably located closer to sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12  than to tip  14  and typically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  10 .  
         [0021]     A conductive loop  22  preferably extends through shaft portion  10  through to the tip  14  thereof 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 electrical properties of the conductive loop  22 .  
         [0022]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing circuitry  23  and an RF transceiver  24  are housed within sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  12 . Sensing circuitry  23  is electrically coupled to conductive loop  22  and senses the integrity thereof. Receiving an output from sensing circuitry  23  is transceiver  24 , which is operative to provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loop  22  is intact. Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  24  and indicates tampering with the seal which results in breakage of the shaft portion  10 .  
         [0023]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As noted above, application of force to the seal of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  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 such a break at a location along the shaft portion  10  which lies just above the tip  14 . It is seen that this break produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop  22 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  shows such a break at the frangible portion  20  along the shaft portion  10 . It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop  22 .  
         [0025]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]     As seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there is provided a tamper-resistant reusable lockable electronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion  30 , which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  32 . Shaft portion  30  preferably has a generally cylindrical configuration and terminates in a lockable tip  34 , preferably formed with an undercut groove  36  which is adapted for lockable engagement with a corresponding locking element  38  forming part of a lock  40 , defining a socket, which includes a magnet  41 . Lock  40  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  34  of shaft portion  30  and locking element  38  is preferably such that without first unlocking the lock, it is impossible to remove the tip  34  from engagement with the locking element  38  without breaking the shaft portion  30 .  
         [0027]     Shaft portion  30  preferably includes a weakened frangible portion  42 , located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  32  and the tip  34 . Frangible portion  42  is preferably located closer to sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  32  than to tip  34  and typically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  30 .  
         [0028]     A conductive loop  44 , including a series connected reed switch  45  which is closed by magnet  41  when shaft portion  30  is in lockable engagement with lock  40 , preferably extends through shaft portion  30  through to the tip  34  thereof and is configured and mounted in shaft portion  30 , such that breakage of the shaft portion  30  produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop  44 .  
         [0029]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing circuitry  46  and an RF transceiver  48  are housed within sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  32 . Sensing circuitry  46  is electrically coupled to conductive loop  44  and senses the integrity thereof. Receiving an output from sensing circuitry  46  is transceiver  48 , which is operative to provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loop  44  is intact. Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  48  and indicates when the shaft portion  30  is located in lockable engagement with lock  40  and when the shaft portion  30  is separated from lock  40  due to either tampering with the seal, which results in breakage of the shaft portion  30 , or disengagement of shaft portion  30  and lock  40  by using a key to unlock lock  40 . It is appreciated that the provision of reed switch  45  and magnet  41  enables sensing circuitry  46  to sense when the shaft portion  30  is located in lockable engagement with lock  40  and when the shaft portion  30  is separated from lock  40  for any reason, and allows for recording of engagements and disengagements of shaft portion  30  and lock  40 .  
         [0030]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the lockable electronic seal of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . As noted above, application of force to the seal of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  in an attempt to separate shaft portion  30  from locking element  38  will not cause tip  34  to be disengaged from locking element  38 , without first breaking the shaft portion  30 .  FIG. 4A  shows such a break at a location along the shaft portion  30  which lies just above the tip  34 . It is seen that this break produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop  44 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4B  shows such a break at the frangible portion  42  along the shaft portion  30 . It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop  44 .  
         [0032]     It is appreciated that the reed switch and magnet shown in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 3A-4B  can also be used in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A-2B .  
         [0033]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a press-fit electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]     As seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , there is provided a tamper-resistant 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 press-fit tip  54 , preferably formed with a series of circumferential teeth  56  which are adapted for press-fit engagement with corresponding tooth-like recesses formed in a socket  58 . The press-fit engagement between tip  54  of shaft portion  50  and socket  58  is preferably such that it is impossible to remove the tip  54  from the socket without breaking the shaft portion  50 .  
         [0035]     Shaft portion  50  preferably includes a weakened frangible portion  60 , located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  52  and the tip  54 . Frangible portion  60  is preferably located closer to sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  52  than to tip  54  and typically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  50 .  
         [0036]     A pair of elongate conductors  62  and  64  preferably extends through shaft portion  50  through to the tip  54  thereof 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 electrical properties of at least one and preferably both of conductors  62  and  64 . Preferably, conductors  62  and  64  communicate with respective contacts  66  and  68  which are exposed at the end of tip  54  and are arranged to electrically engage an electrical shorting contact  70  at the corresponding interior surface of socket  58  when shaft portion  50  is fully press-fit mounted into socket  58 , thereby defining a conductive loop.  
         [0037]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing circuitry  71  and an RF transceiver  72  are housed within sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  52 . Sensing circuitry  71  is electrically coupled to conductors  62  and  64  and senses the integrity of a conductive loop which is defined by conductors  62  and  64  when the shaft portion  50  is fully seated in socket  58 . Receiving an output from sensing circuitry  71  is transceiver  72 , which is operative to provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loop is intact. Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  72  and indicates tampering with the seal which results in breakage of the shaft portion  50 .  
         [0038]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the press-fit electronic seal of  FIGS. 5A and 5B . As noted above, application of force to the seal of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  in an attempt to separate shaft portion  50  from socket  58  will not cause tip  54  to be disengaged from socket  58 , without first breaking the shaft portion  50 .  FIG. 6A  shows such a break at a location along the shaft portion  50  which lies just above the tip  54 . It is seen that this break produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop defined by conductors  62  and  64 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 6B  shows such a break at the frangible portion  60  along the shaft portion  50 . It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop.  
         [0040]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two stages in the assembly of a lockable electronic seal constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]     As seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , there is provided a tamper-resistant lockable electronic seal which preferably comprises a shaft portion  80 , which is integrally formed with or fixed to a sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  82 . Shaft portion  80  preferably has a generally cylindrical configuration and terminates in a lockable tip  84 , preferably formed with an undercut groove  86  which is adapted for lockable engagement with a corresponding locking element  88  forming part of a lock  90 , defining a socket, which includes a magnet  91 . Lock  90  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  84  of shaft portion  80  and locking element  88  is preferably such that without first unlocking the lock, it is impossible to remove the tip  84  from engagement with the locking element  88  without breaking the shaft portion  80 .  
         [0042]     Shaft portion  80  preferably includes a weakened frangible portion  92 , located intermediate the sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  82  and the tip  84 . Frangible portion  92  is preferably located closer to sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  82  than to tip  84  and typically has a lesser thickness than the remainder of the shaft portion  80 .  
         [0043]     A pair of elongate conductors  94  and  96 , at least one of which includes a series connected reed switch  98  which is closed by magnet  91  when shaft portion  80  is in lockable engagement with lock  90 , extends through shaft portion  80  through to the tip  84  thereof and is configured and mounted in shaft portion  80 , such that breakage of the shaft portion  80  produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of at least one and preferably both of conductors  94  and  96 . Preferably, conductors  94  and  96  communicate with respective contacts  102  and  104  which are exposed at the end of tip  84 . Contacts  102  and  104  are arranged to electrically engage an electrical shorting contact  106  at the corresponding interior surface of lock  90  when shaft portion  80  is in lockable engagement with lock  90 . This electrical engagement, together with the closing of series connected reed switch  98  by magnet  91 , thereby defines a conductive loop.  
         [0044]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sensing circuitry  108  and an RF transceiver  110  are housed within sensing circuitry and transceiver portion  82 . Sensing circuitry  108  is electrically coupled to conductors  94  and  96  and senses the integrity of a conductive loop which is defined by conductors  94  and  96  when the shaft portion  80  is in lockable engagement with lock  90 . Receiving an output from sensing circuitry  108  is transceiver  110 , which is operative to provide transmitted information indicating whether the conductive loop is intact. Conventional wireless monitoring circuitry (not shown) may be employed to receive information which is transmitted by RF transceiver  110  and indicates when the shaft portion  80  is located in lockable engagement with lock  90  and when the shaft portion  80  is separated from lock  90  due to either tampering with the seal, which results in breakage of the shaft portion  80 , or disengagement of shaft portion  80  and lock  90  by using a key to unlock lock  90 . It is appreciated that the provision of reed switch  98  and magnet  91  enables sensing circuitry  108  to sense when the shaft portion  80  is located in lockable engagement with lock  90  and also enables sensing circuitry  108  to sense when the shaft portion  80  is separated from lock  90  for any reason, and allows for recording of engagements and disengagements of shaft portion  80  and lock  90 .  
         [0045]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two different types of breaks produced in the lockable electronic seal of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . As noted above, application of force to the seal of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  in an attempt to separate shaft portion  80  from locking element  88  will not cause tip  84  to be disengaged from locking element  88 , without first breaking the shaft portion  80 .  FIG. 8A  shows such a break at a location along the shaft portion  80  which lies just above the tip  84 . It is seen that this break produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop defined by conductors  94  and  96 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 8B  shows such a break at the frangible portion  92  along the shaft portion  80 . It is seen that this break also produces a disconnection or significant change in the electrical properties of the conductive loop defined by conductors  94  and  96 .  
         [0047]     It is appreciated that the reed switch and magnet shown in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 7A-8B  can also be used in the embodiments of  FIGS. 5A-6B .  
         [0048]     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): 4