EP2590154A1 - Sicherheitssiegel - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP2590154A1
EP2590154A1 EP11187485.5A EP11187485A EP2590154A1 EP 2590154 A1 EP2590154 A1 EP 2590154A1 EP 11187485 A EP11187485 A EP 11187485A EP 2590154 A1 EP2590154 A1 EP 2590154A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sealing device
secure sealing
closure element
antenna
radiofrequency transceiver
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11187485.5A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Sameer Mubarak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nafith Logistics Psc
Original Assignee
Nafith Logistics Psc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nafith Logistics Psc filed Critical Nafith Logistics Psc
Priority to EP11187485.5A priority Critical patent/EP2590154A1/de
Publication of EP2590154A1 publication Critical patent/EP2590154A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/03—Forms or constructions of security seals
    • G09F3/0305—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used
    • G09F3/0329—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used having electronic sealing means
    • G09F3/0335—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used having electronic sealing means using RFID tags
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/03—Forms or constructions of security seals
    • G09F3/0305—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used
    • G09F3/0347—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used having padlock-type sealing means
    • G09F3/0352—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used having padlock-type sealing means using cable lock
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/03—Forms or constructions of security seals
    • G09F3/0305—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used
    • G09F3/037—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used having tie-wrap sealing means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the domain of secure sealing devices and methods, in particular those involving radiofrequency transceivers.
  • tagged sealing devices may also be used by cargo owners or logistics providers to protect cargo against theft or other unauthorized tampering. While the physical protection offered by such tagged sealing devices may be limited, their main purpose is to clearly reveal whether they have been breached and the cargo potentially accessed. By regularly checking the tagged sealing devices, the cargo can be tracked and, if the sealing device has been breached, it is possible to identify the transit segment during which the breach has taken place. Such tagged sealing devices can thus be very efficient deterrents against unauthorized access, diversion and/or tampering of assets in transit.
  • tagged sealing devices may be a plastic tag with a ratchet strap. More elaborate tagged sealing devices take the form of a metal lock with a wire strap, a tagged metal strip seal, or a tagged bolt seal. To prevent false alerts, it is also important to prevent accidental breaches of such tagged sealing devices. To this purpose, the International Standard Organization (ISO) has issued the ISO 17712 standard for Tensile, Shear, Bend and Impact Resistance certification for sealing devices.
  • ISO International Standard Organization
  • RFID radiofrequency identification
  • Such RFID devices incorporate a radiofrequency transceiver for wirelessly communicating identification data to a remote reader.
  • the radiofrequency transceiver may also transmit a specific signal if the sealing device has been breached.
  • US Patent Application Publications US 2005/0231365 A1 and US 2007/0103310 A1 and US Patent US 6,265,973 B1 each disclose a secure sealing device with an electronic circuit configured to transmit a specific signal in case of breach.
  • the secure sealing devices disclosed in these documents require active radiofrequency transceivers, and thus a power supply. Ensuring such a power supply increases the complexity and cost of these sealing devices and reduces their reliability.
  • US Patent Application Publication US 2006/0087431 A1 discloses a secure sealing device comprising a radiofrequency transceiver with an antenna, and a closure element.
  • the radiofrequency transmitter is passive and the closure element presents an electrically conductive path for connecting the radiofrequency transceiver to the antenna, so that, if the closure element is severed, the connection between the radiofrequency transceiver and the antenna is interrupted, and communication with the radiofrequency transceiver no longer possible. While this facilitates remote detection of a seal breach, it does not provide for an easy extraction of potentially useful data from the radiofrequency transmitter after this breach.
  • a first object of the disclosure is that of providing a simple secure sealing device which can be wirelessly inspected for breaches and still provide useful tracking information after the breach.
  • this secure sealing device comprises at least a radiofrequency transceiver with a first antenna, a closure element, and a second antenna with a higher gain than the first antenna at a transmission frequency of the radiofrequency transceiver, wherein that the closure element presents an electrically conductive path for connecting the radiofrequency transceiver to the second antenna in a closed state of the secure sealing device.
  • the secure sealing device may further comprise a locking body containing the radiofrequency transceiver and the first and second antennas, and adapted to irreversibly connect a first and a second end of the closure element.
  • This particular configuration helps ensure that the secure sealing device can only be breached at the closure element, which will interrupt the connection of the radiofrequency transceiver to the second antenna.
  • At least the radiofrequency transceiver and first antenna may be encapsulated within the locking body for protection, so that the close-range communication with the radiofrequency transceiver can be preserved.
  • the first end of the closure element may be fixedly connected to the locking body.
  • it will thus be enough to connect the second end of the closure element to the locking body, which facilitates handling the secure sealing device.
  • the closure element may even be integrally formed with the locking body, which also facilitates production of the secure sealing device.
  • the locking body may comprise an electric connector for connecting said electrically conductive path to the second antenna in said closed state of the secure sealing device. Closing the secure sealing device thus closes the connection of the radiofrequency transceiver to the antenna.
  • the electrically conductive path may form a loop on said closure element that starts and ends at the same end of the closure element.
  • the closure element is integrally formed with a locking body containing the radiofrequency transceiver and both the first and second antennas, this helps dispense with electric connectors.
  • the electrically conductive path may start at a first end of the closure element and end at a second end of the closure element.
  • said electrically conductive path may be formed by the whole of the closure element, for instance when the closure element is a metallic cord, or may comprise a conductive coating on an outer surface of the closure element.
  • the electrically conductive path may instead be printed on a non-conductive substrate of the closure element, which facilitates production.
  • the electrically conductive path may in particular be embedded in the closure element.
  • the closure element may be elongated and flexible.
  • it may be a plastic ratchet strap or a cord. This would give the secure sealing element a great flexibility of use, making it adaptable for sealing a variety of closures.
  • the radiofrequency transceiver may comprise a processor and a memory. Tracking data may thus be stored in this memory, and both an incoming signal from a reader and the stored data may be processed before replying to the signal, for instance to ensure confidentiality of the tracking data using access authorization and encryption techniques.
  • Said memory may be a read-only or a rewritable memory, in which second case the tracking data may be regularly updated.
  • the radiofrequency transceiver may be a passive radiofrequency transceiver, that is, powered only by the energy of incoming radiofrequency signals.
  • An independent power supply can thus be dispensed with, increasing the reliability and reducing the cost of the secure sealing device.
  • active radiofrequency transceivers that is, battery-powered radiofrequency transceivers that may broadcast or beacon a signal independently of incoming signals, or of battery-assisted passive radiofrequency transceivers, which only broadcast or beacon a signal in response to a corresponding incoming signal
  • other power sources such as, for example, photovoltaic cells, may also be considered alternatively or in combination with batteries.
  • the secure sealing device may also comprise a visible identification marking, such as, for instance, an identification code, in the form of a laser-printed alphanumeric sequence and/or bar code, or a hologram.
  • a visible identification marking such as, for instance, an identification code, in the form of a laser-printed alphanumeric sequence and/or bar code, or a hologram. This visible identification marking can thus supplement the information transmitted by the radiofrequency transceiver upon close visual inspection.
  • Another object of the disclosure is that of providing an affordable and reliable secure sealing method.
  • access to a sealed content is prevented by a closure element presenting an electrically conductive path, and a radiofrequency transceiver connected to a first antenna is also connected, through said electrically conductive path, to a second antenna having a higher gain than the first antenna at a transmission frequency of the radiofrequency transceiver. Breaking the closure element to gain access to the sealed content will interrupt the electrically conductive path between the radiofrequency and the second antenna, substantially reducing the range of the radiofrequency transceiver.
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B A secure sealing device 101 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B .
  • this secure sealing device 101 comprises a closure element 102 in the form of a plastic ratchet strap, and a locking body 103 integrally formed with the closure element 102.
  • the locking body 103 is fixedly connected to a first end 102a of the closure element 102, and presents an orifice 104 for receiving the opposite second end 102b of the closure element 102 in order to close the secure sealing device 101.
  • the orifice 104 and the ratchet teeth 102c on the surface of the closure element 102 are shaped so as to allow the introduction of the closure element 102 into the orifice 104 in one direction, but then prevent its retreat in the opposite direction.
  • the area around the orifice 104 can be reinforced to ensure that, under a pulling force, the closure element 102 will break before this irreversible connection between the lock body 103 and the second end 102b of the closure element 102.
  • the lock body 103 forms a tag which can present visible markings (not shown), in the form, for instance, of alphanumeric codes, bar codes, or other human- or machine-readable codes, printed or embossed, or of other authentication or identification markings, such as, for instance, holograms.
  • the secure sealing device 101 also comprises, embedded within the locking body 103, a radiofrequency transceiver 105 with at least one transmission frequency, a first antenna 106, and a second antenna 107.
  • the radiofrequency transceiver 105 is a passive radiofrequency transceiver in the form of a passive RFID microchip, compliant with ISO/IEC 18000, and comprising a processor and a memory.
  • the transmission frequencies of this passive RFID microchip may be, for instance, 2.45 GHz, as specified under ISO/IEC 18000-4, 860-960 MHz, as specified under ISO/IEC 18000-6, and/or 433 MHz, as specified under ISO/IEC 18000-7.
  • the memory can be a read-only or a rewritable memory, wherein a rewritable memory could store information received by the radiofrequency transceiver 105, such as, for instance, itinerary information collected at each reading of the radiofrequency transceiver 105.
  • the first and second antennas are flat meander antennas, wherein the first antenna 106 is directly connected to the radiofrequency transceiver 105, but the second antenna 107, on the other hand, is connected to the radiofrequency transceiver 105 through an electrically conductive path 108 in the closure member 102.
  • This second antenna 107 has a higher gain, at said transmission frequency of the radiofrequency transceiver 105, than the first antenna 106.
  • the electrically conductive path 108 forms a loop starting and ending at said first end 102a of the closure member 102.
  • Both antennas 106,107 and said electrically conductive path 108 can be printed together on a non-conductive substrate of the secure sealing device 101.
  • This non-conductive substrate can be produced, for instance, in a first injection molding step, and the antennas 106, 107, electrically conductive path 108 and radiofrequency transceiver 105 can be safely encapsulated in a subsequent second injection molding step.
  • the elongated, flexible closure member 102 can be threaded and looped around two adjacent elements closing an access to a content to be sealed, such as, for instance, lugs attached to respective wings of a door of a shipping container.
  • the second end 102b of the closure member 102 is then threaded through the orifice 104, irreversibly connecting it to the locking body 103, and preventing the separation of the abovementioned two adjacent elements, so that access to the sealed content is effectively prevented unless the closure member 102 is broken.
  • the radiofrequency transceiver 105 remains connected to the second, higher-gain antenna 107.
  • the gain of this second antenna 107 at a transmission frequency of the radiofrequency transceiver 105 is such that the radiofrequency transceiver 105 can communicate with readers at several meters' distance. This allows, for instance, rapid wireless inspection of the seals of shipping containers and trucks by driving them through reader portals. If, however, the closure member 102 has been broken, the connection of the radiofrequency transceiver 105 with the second antenna 107 is interrupted, and the range of the radiofrequency transceiver 105 drastically reduced. In the abovementioned example, the portal reader will no longer be able to detect a response of the radiofrequency transceiver 105.
  • the electrically conductive path 108 is embedded within the closure member 102, it will normally not be possible to reliably re-establish this electrically conductive path 108 by repairing the broken closure member 102. If the radiofrequency transceiver 105 thus fails to respond to a reader at the normal long range, the sealed container may be pulled aside for closer inspection of the secure sealing device 101. Since the connection of the radiofrequency transceiver 105 to the first, lower-gain antenna 106 remains safely encapsulated within the locking body 103, it will still be possible to wirelessly extract information from the radiofrequency transceiver 105, using, for instance, a handheld reader. The visible markings in the locking body 103 can complement this information of the radiofrequency transceiver 105.
  • the closure element 202 is a cord, such as can be produced by winding together several strands of filaments, including at least one electrically conductive filament, and eventually consolidated with an adhesive.
  • the locking body 203 presents a first part 203a comprising an electrically non-conductive substrate, and a metallic second part 203b.
  • a first channel 211 and a second channel 212 each traverse both the first part 203a and the second part 203b.
  • a first end 202a of the closure element 202 is fixed within the first channel 211, whereas the second channel 212 forms, within the second part 203b, an irreversible connector 204 with non-return spikes 204a for receiving a second end 202b of the closure element 202 to close the secure sealing device 201.
  • the secure sealing device 201 is shown in its closed state, unlike the secure sealing device 101 which was illustrated in an open state in FIGS. 1A and 1B .
  • the lock body 203 can also present visible markings (not shown), in the form, for instance, of alphanumeric sequences, bar codes, or other human- or machine-readable codes, printed or embossed, or of other authentication or identification markings, such as, for instance, holograms.
  • the secure sealing device 201 also comprises, embedded within the first part 203a of the locking body 203, a radiofrequency transceiver 205 with at least one transmission frequency, a first antenna 206, and a higher-gain second antenna 207.
  • radiofrequency transceiver 205, first antenna 206 and second antenna 207 are similar to those of the first embodiment, and the first antenna 206 is also directly connected to the radiofrequency transceiver 205.
  • the first part 203a also contains a first electric connector 209 and a second electric connector 210, wherein the first electric connector 210 connects the radiofrequency transceiver 205 to the fixedly connected first end 202a of the closure element 202, and the second electric connector 209 is adapted to connect the second end 202b of closure element 202 to the second antenna 207 when it is irreversibly connected to the locking body 203.
  • the at least one electrically conductive filament of this closure element 202 thus forms an electrically conductive path 208 between the first and second electric connectors 210,209, thus connecting the radiofrequency transceiver 205 to the second antenna 207.
  • the closure element 202 may present a conductive coating at least locally. Both antennas 206,207 and both electric connectors 209,210 can be printed simultaneously on a non-conductive substrate of the secure sealing device 201.
  • the radiofrequency transceiver 205 remains connected to the second, higher-gain antenna 207.
  • the radiofrequency transceiver 105 can thus communicate with readers at several meters' distance, allowing, as in the first embodiment, rapid wireless inspection of the seals of shipping containers and trucks by driving them through reader portals. If, however, the closure member 202 has been broken, the connection of the radiofrequency transceiver 205 with the second antenna 207 is interrupted, and the range of the radiofrequency transceiver 205 is also drastically reduced. If the radiofrequency transceiver 205 thus fails to respond to a reader at the normal long range, the sealed container may be pulled aside for closer inspection of the secure sealing device 201.
  • the connection of the radiofrequency transceiver 205 to the first, lower-gain antenna 206 remains safely encapsulated within first part 203a of the locking body 203, it will still be possible to wirelessly extract information from the radiofrequency transceiver 205 from a smaller distance.
  • the visible markings in the locking body 203 can complement this information of the radiofrequency transceiver 205.
  • the positions of the first and second parts 203a, 203b of the locking body 203 are switched, so that, in the closed position, the closure element 202 exits and reenters the locking body 203 through the first part 203a, rather than the second part 203b.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)
EP11187485.5A 2011-11-02 2011-11-02 Sicherheitssiegel Withdrawn EP2590154A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11187485.5A EP2590154A1 (de) 2011-11-02 2011-11-02 Sicherheitssiegel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11187485.5A EP2590154A1 (de) 2011-11-02 2011-11-02 Sicherheitssiegel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2590154A1 true EP2590154A1 (de) 2013-05-08

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EP11187485.5A Withdrawn EP2590154A1 (de) 2011-11-02 2011-11-02 Sicherheitssiegel

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EP (1) EP2590154A1 (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2991061A1 (de) * 2014-08-29 2016-03-02 Nxp B.V. Befestigungselement mit eingebetteter Identifiziererschaltung
WO2017153903A1 (en) * 2016-03-07 2017-09-14 Grapsa Luciano Self-locking security seal
DE102016010916A1 (de) 2016-09-08 2018-03-08 Giesecke+Devrient Mobile Security Gmbh Sicherheitssiegel
IT201700047094A1 (it) * 2017-05-02 2018-11-02 Leonardo Sistemi Integrati S R L Sistema di sigillatura anti effrazione
EP3493170A3 (de) * 2017-12-02 2019-09-04 The Boeing Company Drahtlose manipulationserkennungsvorrichtung
DE102018114924A1 (de) * 2018-06-21 2019-12-24 Murrplastik Systemtechnik Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Kennzeichnung von langgestreckten Gegenständen

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6265973B1 (en) 1999-04-16 2001-07-24 Transguard Industries, Inc. Electronic security seal
US20050231365A1 (en) 2004-03-30 2005-10-20 Tester Theodore R Electronic security seal
US20060087431A1 (en) 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Yeng-Bao Shieh RFID electronic seal and system using the RFID electronic seal
US20060145868A1 (en) 2004-12-24 2006-07-06 Pretide Holdings, Inc. Passive RFID-based electronic seal
US20070103310A1 (en) 2005-11-04 2007-05-10 Hopman Nicholas C Asset seal device and method
US20070139196A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2007-06-21 Manfred Rietzler Seal device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6265973B1 (en) 1999-04-16 2001-07-24 Transguard Industries, Inc. Electronic security seal
US20050231365A1 (en) 2004-03-30 2005-10-20 Tester Theodore R Electronic security seal
US20060087431A1 (en) 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Yeng-Bao Shieh RFID electronic seal and system using the RFID electronic seal
US20070139196A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2007-06-21 Manfred Rietzler Seal device
US20060145868A1 (en) 2004-12-24 2006-07-06 Pretide Holdings, Inc. Passive RFID-based electronic seal
US20070103310A1 (en) 2005-11-04 2007-05-10 Hopman Nicholas C Asset seal device and method

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2991061A1 (de) * 2014-08-29 2016-03-02 Nxp B.V. Befestigungselement mit eingebetteter Identifiziererschaltung
CN105383794A (zh) * 2014-08-29 2016-03-09 恩智浦有限公司 内嵌有识别电路的紧固件
US9809362B2 (en) 2014-08-29 2017-11-07 Nxp B.V. Fastener with embedded identifier circuit
WO2017153903A1 (en) * 2016-03-07 2017-09-14 Grapsa Luciano Self-locking security seal
US11403971B2 (en) 2016-03-07 2022-08-02 Luciano GRAPSA Self-locking security seal
DE102016010916A1 (de) 2016-09-08 2018-03-08 Giesecke+Devrient Mobile Security Gmbh Sicherheitssiegel
IT201700047094A1 (it) * 2017-05-02 2018-11-02 Leonardo Sistemi Integrati S R L Sistema di sigillatura anti effrazione
WO2018203212A1 (en) * 2017-05-02 2018-11-08 Leonardo Sistemi Integrati Srl Anti-tampering sealing system
EP3493170A3 (de) * 2017-12-02 2019-09-04 The Boeing Company Drahtlose manipulationserkennungsvorrichtung
DE102018114924A1 (de) * 2018-06-21 2019-12-24 Murrplastik Systemtechnik Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Kennzeichnung von langgestreckten Gegenständen

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