Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Patent
1995-09-27
1999-03-02
Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
340572, 34082534, G08B 1308
Patent
active
058776850
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an assembly for detecting when a seal has been broken, e.g. a door opened or goods removed from a surface, and recording that event.
A seal in the meaning of an arrangement which is so constructed that a change in the state of the seal, such as the opening of a door or the dispatch of goods can be clearly detected subsequently is, of course, encumbered with serious problems, such as high costs and unreliability in operation.
The present invention relates to an arrangement by means of which an object can be sealed extremely reliably and with a high degree of flexibility at relatively low cost.
According to one aspect of the present invention an assembly is provided comprising the following components: A door mounted in, and for movement with respect to, a door frame. An electrical switch activated in response to movement of a portion of the door away from the door frame. And, an information carrier (e.g. smart card) mounted on said frame and recording each activation of the switch. The assembly may further comprise a clock unit mounted on the door frame for supplying the date and clock time to the information carrier for recordation thereof each time the switch is activated. The switch may comprise a permanent magnet activated switch mounted on the door frame, and a permanent magnet may be mounted on the door for cooperation with the switch. The door is hinged at a first side thereof and the magnet may be mounted on a second side of the door opposite the first side. The switch is mounted on the door frame adjacent the second side of the door. The information carrier can also record each deactivation of the switch.
An information carrier reader may be mounted in contact with the information carrier. Also an acknowledgment unit may be provided in contact with the information carrier for transmitting the identity of a person opening the door for recordation by the information carrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a door sealed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates the seal shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates schematically an object sealed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates schematically an information carrier and a reader unit; and
FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a clock unit for recording the times at which events concerning an inventive seal takes place.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a door 1 which is sealed in accordance with the invention, wherein there is provided on the door frame 3 an updatable information carrier 2 which records in a readable manner breaking of the seal, which corresponds to opening of the door 1. The information carrier 2 is preferably a smart card.
FIG. 2 illustrates an electrical switch 4 which coacts with the information carrier 2 and which changes state, i.e. breaks a circuit, when the door 1 is opened. In the illustrated case, the switch 4 is arranged to be activated by a permanent magnet 5 mounted on the door, although other switches of a generally know kind can be used, for instance mechanical microswitches, and like devices.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which the seal is used in connection with goods 6 and where breaking of the seal results from removal of the goods 6 from a predetermined place (i.e. from a position resting on surface 10. A switch 4, as in FIG. 2, is also provided.
The reference numeral 7 identifies a clock unit from which time information in the form of date and clock time can be delivered to the information carrier 2 so as to register breaking of the seal and preferably, when applicable, to reset the seal, i.e. to close the door, etc.
The information carrier 2 is intended to be read by contact with a reader unit 8, FIG. 4, or in contactless cooperation with said reader unit, in which the registered information is stored and can be read therefrom, for instance for further transmission to a processing unit (not shown) where the information is evaluated.
According to one preferred embodi
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