The present invention generally relates to a seal for a cargo/container;
and more particularly, to provide a passive RFID based tamperproof
5 sealing device with on demand status indication using three LED.
BACKGROUND
Generally, in a cargo industry, the cargo containers are widely
employed to ship goods from one location to other location. The cargo
containers are widely used in ocean going ships for shipping goods
10 among different continents. Each ship can carry hundreds of such
cargo containers. The containers have doors which are locked shut
with hasps. Commonly, the hasps are secured with mechanical locks or
seals. Such lock includes a strip seal, a rope wire seal, a drum seal, a
hex cable seal, a security seal, a padlock, a deadbolt, a lever handle
15 lock, a handcuff seal, a cam lock, a euro profile cylinder, a
interchangeable core (IC) cylinders lock, a vending/t-handle lock, a
rim latch lockand a steel bolt.
Over the period of time, burgles/thieves have compromised the
security of such cargo doors by compromising the aforementioned
20 locks. The thieves compromise such locks and open the cargo doors
and takeout all the valuable items are stored inside the containers.
The cargo containers are shipped via a ship, a train and a truck. The
cargo containers are at a higher risk of tampering, theft and
vandalism, during the transportation, unloading or loading. For theft
25 and tampering prevention, the existing seals are assigned serial
numbers and such seals are then assigned to a container. The serial
number, container ID, a shipment carrier, and a destination is entered
in the record (i.e. computer or hand written). However, despite of all
such efforts, seals are tampered.
2
Prevention of such tampering is critical to safeguard the valuable
goods within the cargo. Currently, available sealing devices generally
include two components: a male part which is inserted into a female
part to complete a lock. However, such male part, which when inserted
5 into the female part, can move within the female part, and thereby
creates an ambiguity whether, previously sealing device was tampered
before reaching to a destination.
Further, when any metal part is brought in contact with the RFID chip
in the sealing device, the RFID circuit is completed and with an
10 appropriate reading device the unique RFID identifier information is
subject to be stolen. The amount of information which could be
learned about the goods from the stolen RFID chips is quite a lot. Plus,
you never know what the thieves are planning on doing with the
information. For example, the stolen RFID tag can be used to steal the
15 contents of the container or can be affixed in another container
carrying illegal contraband or materials.
Also, in current locks there is no mechanism through which the state
of the lock can be ascertained visually, like is it in locked state or
unlocked state or tampered state. Thus, there is a need in the art to
20 integrate the RFID based electronic lock with a mechanism to easily
and visually ascertain the current state of the lock.
Thus, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of
technology. More specifically, a need exists in the area of technology
for sufficiently securing locks for the cargo containers.
25 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for a security
seals to a cargo container.
An object of the present invention is to provide the tamperproof
security seals to the cargo container.
3
An object of the present invention is to prevent loss of the valuable
goods by theft products during a shipment, a loading and/or a
unloading of the cargo container.
An object of the present invention is to easily and visually ascertain
5 the current state of the lock, like is it in locked state or unlocked state
or tampered state
The present invention generally relates to a seal for cargo/container;
and more particularly, to an apparatus and methods for using RFID tag
that can indicate the sealing condition of a container and provide the
10 product information to a RFID reader.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a seal for a cargo/container;
and more particularly, to provide a tamperproof RFID based electronic
sealing device with on demand status indication using three LED.
15 In an embodiment a radio frequency identification (RFID) based
electronic sealing device is provided comprising, an elongated inserting
element, wherein the elongated inserting element comprises a hollow
metallic part and a printed circuit board (PCB) affixed with a RFID
chip, wherein a tip of the PCB protrudes outside the elongated
20 inserting element, a body element having plurality of compartments
and having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a first
compartment at the proximal end comprises an engagement ring and
a first electrical connector, wherein a second compartment below the
first compartment comprises an antenna element and a second
25 electrical connector, wherein the antenna element is affixed at the
bottom to a first switch using a second spring and to the second
electrical connector using a first spring, wherein a third compartment
below the second compartment comprises a battery, and a second
switch and three light emitting diodes (LED’s) affixed on the outer
4
surface of the body element, wherein the LED’s indicate the status of
the RFID based electronic sealing device when the second switch is
pressed.
In an embodiment the elongated inserting element is inserted into the
5 opening of the body element to lock the sealing device.
In an embodiment the tip of the PCB connects with the antenna
element to complete a circuit for RFID activation..
In an embodiment the one or more LED’s is connected to the battery.
In an embodiment the status of the sealing device comprises an
10 unlocked state, a locked state and a tampered state.
In an embodiment a first LED glows when the second switch is pressed
in an unlocked state.
In an embodiment all the three LED’s glow when the second switch is
pressed in a locked state.
15 In an embodiment a first LED and a third LED glows when the second
switch is pressed in a tampered state.
In an embodiment a groove on the elongated inserting element
engages with the engagement ring in the locked state.
In an embodiment, the RFID based electronic sealing device can be
20 configured on a cargo container, a shipment box and/or a wagon door.
In an embodiment, the electrical connection between the antenna, the
second electrical connector and the first switch is made using a
mechanism from the set comprising metallic circular ring, configuring
the shape of antenna, metallic protrusions from second electrical
25 connector, relay.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
5
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an elongated inserting element of a
RFID based electronic sealing device, in accordance with an
5 embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a body member of a RFID based
electronic sealing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a RFID based electronic sealing
10 device in an unlocked state, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a RFID based electronic sealing
device in a locked state, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
15 FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a RFID based electronic sealing
device in a tampered state, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the
20 embodiments of the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.
Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than
all the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments
obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the
25 embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall
within the protection scope of the present invention.
6
The present invention generally relates to a seal for a cargo/container;
and more particularly, to provide a passive RFID based tamperproof
sealing device with on demand status indication using three LED.
In an embodiment a radio frequency identification (RFID) based
5 electronic sealing device is provided comprising, an elongated inserting
element, wherein the elongated inserting element comprises a hollow
metallic part and a printed circuit board (PCB) affixed with a RFID
chip, wherein a tip of the PCB protrudes outside the elongated
inserting element, a body element having plurality of compartments
10 and having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a first
compartment at the proximal end comprises an engagement ring and
a first electrical connector, wherein a second compartment below the
first compartment comprises an antenna element and a second
electrical connector, wherein the antenna element is affixed at the
15 bottom to a first switch using a second spring and to the second
electrical connector using a first spring, wherein a third compartment
below the second compartment comprises a battery, and a second
switch and three light emitting diodes (LED’s) affixed on the outer
surface of the body element, wherein the LED’s indicate the status of
20 the RFID based electronic sealing device when the second switch is
pressed.
In an embodiment the elongated inserting element is inserted into the
opening of the body element to lock the sealing device.
In an embodiment the tip of the PCB connects with the antenna
25 element to complete a circuit for RFID activation..
In an embodiment the one or more LED’s is connected to the battery.
In an embodiment the status of the sealing device comprises an
unlocked state, a locked state and a tampered state.
7
In an embodiment a first LED glows when the second switch is pressed
in an unlocked state.
In an embodiment all the three LED’s glow when the second switch is
pressed in a locked state.
5 In an embodiment a first LED and a third LED glows when the second
switch is pressed in a tampered state.
In an embodiment a groove on the elongated inserting element
engages with the engagement ring in the locked state.
In an embodiment, the RFID based electronic sealing device can be
10 configured on a cargo container, a shipment box and/or a wagon door.
In an embodiment, the electrical connection between the antenna, the
second electrical connector and the first switch is made using a
mechanism from the set comprising metallic circular ring, configuring
the shape of antenna, metallic protrusions from second electrical
15 connector, relay.
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an elongated inserting element
100 of a RFID based electronic sealing device, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure. The elongated inserting
element 100 is made up of a metallic material 102 with a hollow inner
20 space 106 in the centre. The elongated inserting element 100 consists
a top part and a bottom part. The top part of the elongated inserting
element 100 is covered by a protective cover 104 having a head part
116 and a tail part. The larger head part 116 prevents sliding/passing
of the elongated inserting element 100 through the hasp/latch of the
25 cargo container.
In an embodiment, a printed circuit board (PCB) 108 having an RFID
chip/tag 110, is configured to be inserted into the hollow inner space
106 of the elongated inserting element 100. The PCB 108 has a head
part 120 coated with a metallic element, that helps in forming an
8
electrical contact with the metallic material 102. The PCB also has a
tip part 114. The tip part 114 of PCB 108 is configured to slightly
protrude out of the hollow inner space 106. The tip of PCB 114
connects with the antenna member in the body part of the RFID based
5 electronic seal to complete the RFID circuit and activate RFID. The PCB
has electronic components affixed therein to form a circuitry. Further,
a groove 112 is cut circumferentially at the bottom part of the
elongated inserting element after the tip part of the protective cover
104. A retaining ring (not shown) is configured to be affixed in the
10 groove. The hollow inner space 106 of the elongated inserting element
100 is covered at the top part by a metallic cap 118 in such a manner
that, the head part 120 of the PCB that is coated with the metallic
element comes in contact with the metallic cap 118, thereby providing
an electrical continuity.
15 In an embodiment, the protective cover 104 can be constructed from
a material, selected from a set of: a plastic, a polyethylene
terephthalate (PET or PETE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a
polypropylene (PP), a polycarbonate polystyrene, a carbon fibre.
20 The sealing device is continuously under exposure to extreme weather
conditions such as high heat, sun light, moisture, water, rain and cold,
therefore it would require special material which can withstand afore
mentioned environmental condition. The elongated inserting element
100, the retaining ring can be manufactured from the variety of
25 material which can provide enough strength, corrosion resistance, light
weight, environment friendly and economical. The exemplary materials
that can be used are a metal such as stainless steel, boron alloy,
Titanium, aluminium, copper, magnesium, brass, tin, iron, metal alloy.
In an embodiment, the head 116 can be of any shape such as a
30 sphere, a cone, a pyramid, a cylindrical, a diamond and a prism. In an
9
embodiment, the head 116 is tapered in nature (not shown in the
figure) and an outer diameter of the head decrease towards the top
part of the elongated inserting element.
In an embodiment, the PCB 108, can be inserted into the hollow inner
5 space in such a manner as to have the tip part slightly protrude out of
the hollow inner space and the head part coated with metallic element,
making contact with the metallic cap at the top of the elongated
inserting element. It has to be understood that, the head of PCB with
metallic coating needs to make contact with the metallic cap on top of
10 hollow inner space to form an electrical continuity. Any arrangement
like, using a spring, a movable assemble, varying the length of PCB,
having a metallic protrusion extending down from the cap to come in
contact with the head of PCB are some of such variations. Any such
variational arrangement comes under the scope of the invention, with
15 the sole purpose being to have the head of PCB with metallic coating
make contact with the metallic cap.
The groove 112 can be in form of a ring, a flute, a recess, a channel, a
bulge, a projection, a ridge, thread, a rib, and a trench. The grooves
112 can have a pointed shape such as “V” shaped or inverted “V”
20 shaped, curved shaped such as a convex (bulging outwards) shaped or
a concave (bulging inwards) shaped, and a flat shaped. The grooves
can have a continuous surface (i.e. annular ring) or a disconnected
surface. In an embodiment, the grooves 112 can be in form of a single
annular ring, a “c” shaped ring, a ring which can be divided in multiple
25 segments (i.e. two half circle ring), a ring which half circle ring, a line
of space apart notches, a line of space apart bulges, randomly spaced
notches, randomly placed budges. The grooves 112 can have a
specific spatial arrangement i.e a distance between the two grooves
and and/or an angle between the grooves on the peripheral surface of
30 the tip surface.
10
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a body member of a RFID based
electronic sealing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure. As illustrated, the body member 200, comprises of
one or more compartments 202, 204, 206 to accommodate the
5 components. The body member has a proximal and distal end. At the
proximal end, there is an opening 208, that extends slightly above the
body member. This opening helps in guiding the elongated inserting
element to be properly inserted and affixed to the body member,
during the locking process. The body member has an inner casing (not
10 shown) in which the components are affixed. The inner casing has
slots provided therein at appropriate places to fit the components in
their respective places. The slots enable the components to be affixed
tightly without any movement.
In a first compartment 202 at the proximal end, an electrical
15 connector 210 is provided on the inner side wall of the casing having a
connection with a locking mechanism comprising an engagement ring.
The connector 210 is used for forming an electrical connection to
enable indication of the status of the sealing device. The status
indication circuitry and methodology will be explained in more detail
20 with regards to Fig. 3, Fig, 4 and Fig. 5. In the first compartment 202
in the inner casing, there is a locking mechanism comprising an
engagement ring fitted thereon. The engagement ring functions to
engage the retaining ring in the groove 112. This engagement locks
the sealing device in a tight position and without any movement. It
25 also ensures that, the lock cannot be easily unlocked.
In a second compartment 204, that is just below the first
compartment, an antenna 214, is affixed in the inner casing. The
outer part of the antenna is surrounded by a metallic foil (not shown).
The antenna functions to emit RFID signal when the elongated
30 inserting element is inserted into the body member thereby
completing a circuit between the antenna and tip of PCB making the
11
RFID functional. At the same time, the retaining ring engages with the
engagement ring to lock the seal. A second electrical connector 216 is
provided on the inner side wall of the casing. The antenna is affixed
inside the body member in such a manner that it forms an electrical
5 connection with the second metallic connector 216 using a first spring
218, during the locking process. A first switch 220 is affixed in the
inner casing in a slot earmarked for the switch. The bottom part of the
antenna is connected to the first switch 220, using a second spring
222. The functioning of the elements will be explained later with
10 reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.
In a third compartment 206, that is just below the second
compartment, a battery 224, is affixed in a slot. The battery is used to
power the three LED’s, 226(1), 226(2), 226(3). The LED’s are affixed
on the outer surface of the body member 200. A second switch 228 is
15 also provided on the outer surface of the body member 200. The
second switch 228 when pressed, completes the electrical circuit and
helps in indicating the current status of the lock.
In an embodiment, the protective cover 104 can be constructed from
a material, selected from a set of: a plastic, a polyethylene
20 terephthalate (PET or PETE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a low-d ensity polyethylene (LDPE), a
polypropylene (PP), a polycarbonate polystyrene, a carbon fiber.
The retaining ring and the engagement ring can be manufactured from
the variety of material which can provide sufficient strength, corrosion
25 resistance, light weight, environment friendly and economical. The
exemplary material can be used are: a metal such as stainless steel,
boron alloy, Titanium, aluminium, copper, magnesium, brass, tin, iron,
metal alloy.
In an alternative embodiment, the first spring 218, the second spring
30 222, the first electrical connector 210, the second electrical connector
12
216, can be replaced by any mechanism such as a bulged metallic
circular ring from the outer part of the antenna, configuring the shape
of antenna to come in contact with the connectors and first switch,
metallic protrusions from second electrical connector or from the
5 antenna to form an electrical connection, relays etc. It has to be
understood that, the objective is to form an electrical continuity
between the antenna, the first switch and the first and second
electrical connectors, during the locking process, and any known
method falls within the scope of the invention.
10 FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a RFID based electronic sealing
device in an unlocked state, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure. The working of the lock in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig.5 will
be explained with numerals marked in Fig.1 and Fig.2 for sake of
clarity. With reference to Fig. 3, in an unlocked state, when the
15 elongated inserting element 100 is not inserted into the body member,
i.e. not locked, when the second switch 228, is pressed, only LED
226(1) will glow. This status is an indication that, the sealing device is
in an unlocked state. As per the circuitry, when second switch 228 is
pressed, only first LED 226(1) is powered, indicating that, the sealing
20 device is unlocked.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a RFID based electronic sealing
device in a locked state, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure. The working of the seal will be explained in
accordance to the markings in Fig. 1, 2 3. When the elongated
25 inserting element 100, is inserted into the body member 200, the tip
of the PCB 114, makes connection with antenna 214 to activate RFID
and pushes the antenna 214 downwards, via the spring 222, and
operates the switch 220. During this locking process, the metallic
material 102, gets electrically connected with electrical contact 210,
30 via a locking mechanism comprising the retaining ring. Further,
connection 216 and connection 210 gets electrically connected or
13
activated by making contact with the antenna and tip of PCB. So, all
three LED’s are now electrically connected to the battery and when
second switch 228 is pressed, and all three LED’s will glow, in locked
state. During the locking process, the retaining ring affixed in the
5 groove 112, engages with the engagement ring 212, to complete the
locking process. Further contacts 210 and 216 are now electrically
connected via the tip of PCB 114 connecting with metallic antenna
214 and spring 218. In such a state, when second switch 228 is
pressed, all the three LED’s will glow. The pushing action will become
10 evident when observing Fig.4 in conjunction with Fig. 3, where the first
switch 220 is pushed downwards.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a RFID based electronic sealing
device in a tampered state, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure. When the seal is tampered or cut, i.e the elongated
15 inserting element 100, is cut, then the connection between electrical
contact 210 and 216 is permanently cut, as the circuit now is open for
LED 226(2). So, in such a state, only LED 226(1) and 226(3) will glow
indicating a tampered state.
The below table provides as summary of the status indication when
20 second switch 228 is pressed.
Unlock state Lock State Tampered state
LED 1 ON ON ON
LED 2 OFF ON OFF
LED 3 OFF ON ON
In an alternative embodiment, the PCB which is present in the
elongated inserting element, and the antenna, which is present in the
body member, can be interchangeably provided in the RFID based
14
electronic sealing device. i.e. PCB can be affixed in the body member
and the antenna can be affixed in the elongated inserting element. In
such a configuration, minor adjustments to the circuitry needs to be
done, however, the locking mechanism and the status indication of the
5 sealing device can be achieved. It should be appreciated that; such a
device can be constructed without departing from the limit and scope
of the invention.
In an embodiment, when the RFID based electronic seal passes or
comes within a preset range/proximity of an RFID reader in a remote
10 control center (not shown in the figure), the RFID reader sends
electromagnetic energy in the direction of the sealing device which is
sensed by the antenna present in the sealing device. This energy is
converted into RF waves. The sealing device antenna draws energy
from the RF waves and activates the electronic components. Upon
15 activation of the electronic components, an information/signal
corresponding to the identification of the sealing device is generated,
wherein the information can include RFID related data such as RFID
signal. This RFID signal is interpreted by the RFID reader in the
remote control center to identify the unique information of the sealing
20 device. Disengagement or withdrawal of the elongated inserting
element 100 coupled to the body member 200, breaks the connection
between the antenna and the electric connectors, which results in
deactivation off the electronic circuitry (open circuit). When a cargo
container or wagon or truck, that has been sealed using the sealing
25 device of the invention, passes through a check post or any such
regulatory areas where a RFID reader is affixed to track movement of
such cargoes, if the device is in locked state, the reader will be able to
read the signal and ascertain the status of the cargo and let the cargo
pass through freely. When the sealing device is in tampered state the
30 reader will not be able to read any signal as the RFID circuitry of the
sealing device is now in open state and hence will not emit any RFID
15
signal. Thus, the check post or the regulatory area will be able to
ascertain that the seal has been tampered or removed. The check post
or the regulatory area personnel may then scrutinize the state of the
seal manually. In an event of determination of unauthorized access of
5 the sealing device, check post or the regulatory area command centre
computer or any such device, may transmit alerts/notifications. The
alert may be in form of a sound, a tone, a SMS, an email etc. The alert
may be transmitted to a device associated witha cargo owner, a
shipping company, the governmental agencies and/or any other
10 concerned parties.
The components of the sealing device can be manufactured by any
methods are known state of the art such as an injection molding, an
extrusion molding, a blow molding, a compression molding, a
rotational molding, a vacuum forming, a die casting, a sand casting,
15 stamping, a forging, a 3D printing, a chemical vapour deposition, a
sputter deposition, a sintering, a pressing, a rolling, a bending, a
trimming, a shaving, a notching, etc.
ADVANTAGESOF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure overcomes one or more disadvantages
20 associated with conventional systems.
The present invention provides a device for a security seals to a cargo
container.
The present invention provides the tamperproof security seals to the
cargo container.
25 The present invention provides a tamper proof electronic RFID seal,
that can provide to the government officials, indication about the
status of the lock with the press of a switch.
16
The present invention prevents loss of the valuable goods by theft
products during a shipment, a loading and/or a deloading of the cargo
container.
The present invention generally relates to a seal for cargo/container;
5 and more particularly, to an apparatus and methods for using RFID tag
that can indicate the sealing condition of a container and provide the
product information to a RFID reader.

We claim:

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) based electronic sealing
device comprising:
5 an elongated inserting element, wherein the elongated inserting
element comprises a hollow metallic part and a printed circuit board
(PCB) affixed with a RFID chip, wherein a tip of the PCB protrudes
outside the elongated inserting element;
a body element having plurality of compartments and having a
10 proximal end and a distal end, wherein a first compartment at the
proximal end comprises an engagement ring and a first electrical
connector, wherein a second compartment below the first
compartment comprises an antenna element and a second electrical
connector, wherein the antenna element is affixed at the bottom to a
15 first switch using a second spring and to the second electrical
connector using a first spring, wherein a third compartment below
the second compartment comprises a battery; and
a second switch and one or more light emitting diodes (LED’s)
affixed on the outer surface of the body element, wherein the LED’s
20 indicate the status of the RFID based electronic sealing device when
the second switch is pressed.
2. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the elongated inserting
element is inserted into the opening of the body element to lock the
25 sealing device.
3. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the tip of the PCB connects
with the antenna element to complete a circuit for RFID activation.
30 4. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more LED’s is
connected to the battery.
18
5. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the status of the sealing
device comprises an unlocked state, a locked state and a tampered
state.
5
6. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein a first LED glows when the
second switch is pressed in an unlocked state.
7. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein three LED’s glow when the
10 second switch is pressed in a locked state.
8. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein a first LED and a third LED
glows when the second switch is pressed in a tampered state.
15 9. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection
between the antenna, the second electrical connector and the first
switch is made using a mechanism from the set comprising metallic
circular ring, configuring the shape of antenna, metallic protrusions
from second electrical connector, relay.
20
10. The sealing device of claim 1, wherein the sealing device is
constructed from a material, selected from a set of: a stainless steel,
a boron alloy, a titanium, an aluminum, a copper, a magnesium,a
brass, a tin, a metal, an alloy, an iron, a plastic,a polyethylene
25 terephthalate (PET or PETE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a
polypropylene (PP), a polycarbonate polystyrene, a carbon fiber, a
cement, a concrete anda composite concrete.