AU2008261619B2

AU2008261619B2 - A sensing system

Info

Publication number: AU2008261619B2
Application number: AU2008261619A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William John Crosse
Original assignee: CROSSECOM Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CROSSECOM Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-15
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-13
Also published as: WO2008151379A1; MY163767A; AU2008261619A1

Abstract

There is provided a system (2) for detecting relative motion between a first member (60) and second member (62) (illustrated as a locking bar (22) comprises a first sensor unit (4) and a second sensor unit (6). The first sensor (4) comprises a first accelerometer (8) and the second sensor (6) comprises a second accelerometer (10). The first and second sensors (4) and (6) each independently communicate with a processing and recording unit (12). The processing and recording unit (12) is configured for processing signals from the sensors (4) and (6) and determining changes in the relative displacement of one sensor to the other. The unit (12) is also able to record changes in the relative displacement and log, using global positioning technology, the locations at which the change occurred.

Description

- 1 A SENSING SYSTEM Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to sensing systems particularly, although not solely, for detecting relative motion. Background of the Invention 10 Sensing systems for detecting relative motion are known and incorporate various types of transducers for detecting movement of one or more objects. Some sensing systems use transducers to detect direct movement between one or more 15 objects. It will be clearly understood that, although prior art use and publications may be referred to herein, such references do not constitute an admission that any form a 20 part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention 25 In the statement of invention and description of the invention which follow, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify 30 the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. In accordance with a first aspect of the present 35 invention, there is provided a system for determining whether at least one fuel aperture has been accessed, the system comprising: 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 2 a first sensor unit supported by a first member, the first member being associated with the aperture, the first sensor unit being configured to transmit a first output signal indicative of motion of the first member; 5 a second sensor unit supported by a second member and configured to transmit a second output signal indicative of motion of the second member; and a processing system configured to receive said first and second output signals, 10 wherein the second member is moveable relative to the first member, the second member being moveable between a first position in which access to the aperture is prevented and a second position in which the aperture can be accessed, 15 wherein said processing system provides an indication of motion of the second member moving to the second position when a difference between the first output signal and the second output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. 20 Each sensor unit may comprise respective a accelerometer, each accelerometer producing motion signals indicative of motion of its corresponding sensor unit. 25 In one embodiment the first and second output signals are encrypted. In this embodiment each sensor unit comprises a cryptographic module which encrypts the motion signal from its corresponding accelerometer to produce respective first and second encrypted output signals. 30 The system may further comprise a global positioning system. The first member may comprise a portion of a vehicle 35 chassis. The portion of a vehicle chassis may be configured to locate said first sensor unit internally. The second member may be configured to locate said second 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW -3 sensor internally. The second member may comprise a high-strength steel bar configured to guard or restrict access to at least one fuel outlet. 5 The vehicle may be a fuel transport vehicle, such as a petroleum/oil transport truck. The first and second sensor units may be configured to 10 communicate with said processing system by at least one respective electrical communication cable. Additionally, each sensor unit may be powered by a respective power supply cable from a power supply source or the processing system. The first and second sensor units may be in 15 wireless communication with the processing system. The communication cable may be encased in a high strength stainless steel conduit. The power supply cable may also be encased in said high strength stainless steel conduit. 20 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a security system for detecting relative motion of a first member relative to a second member for use on a fuel delivery vehicle, the security system 25 comprising: a second sensor unit supported by said second member and configured to transmit a second output signal indicative of motion of the second member; and, a processing system configured to receive said first 30 and second output signals, wherein said processing system provides indication of motion of the first member relative to the second member when a difference between the first output signal and the second output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. 35 Further embodiments of the security system may comprise 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW one or more of any of the features described with reference to the first aspect of the present invention for a system for detecting relative motion between a first member and a second member. 5 For either of the first and second aspects, the processing system may be configured for recording the signals output from the first and/or second sensors. 10 According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of determining whether at least one fuel aperture has been accessed, said method comprising: receiving a first set of output signals from a first sensor located on a first member, the first member being 15 associated with the aperture, the first sensor unit being configured to transmit a first output signal indicative of motion of the first member; receiving a second set of output signals from a second sensor located on a second member, the second 20 member being configured to transmit a second output signal indicative of motion of the second member; and, processing the first and second output signals to produce a steady-state differential signal and detecting motion of the second sensor relative to the first sensor 25 on the basis of a variation in the respective output signals, wherein the second member is moveable relative to the first member, the second member being moveable between a first position in which access to the aperture is 30 prevented and a second position in which the aperture can be accessed, and wherein, as a result of the processing step, an indication is provided of the second member moving to the second position when a difference between the first output 35 signal and the second output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 5 The method may further comprise encrypting one or both of the first and second sets of output signals. Further, the encryption may comprise Triple DES standard. 5 The methods may further comprise the step of recording the occurrence the second member moving to the second position. The methods may further comprise recording the global 10 position of said first member using a global positioning system (GPS). The recording of the global position may occur at regular time intervals as well as whenever motion of the second member relative to the first member is detected 15 The method may further comprise the transmission of the global position at regular time intervals as well as whenever motion of the second member relative to the first member is detected. 20 Brief Description of the Drawings The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now the described, by way of example only, with reference 25 to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic layout of one embodiment of a sensing device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the system 30 shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows yet a further embodiment of the present invention when installed on fuel delivery vehicle when a guard member is in a closed position and access to the fuel outlets is restricted; 35 Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 when the guard member is raised and the fuel outlets are accessible. 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 6 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to the accompanying drawings one embodiment 5 of a system 2 for detecting relative motion between a first member 60 (illustrated as a part of a chassis 18 of a vehicle 20) and second member 62 (illustrated as a locking bar 22) comprises a first sensor unit 4 and a second sensor unit 6. The first sensor unit 4 comprises a first 10 accelerometer 8 and the second sensor unit 6 comprises a second accelerometer 10. The accelerometers provide respective signals indicative of the motion of the first 60 and second 62 members. 15 The first and second sensors 4 and 6 each independently communicate with a processing system 12 which may be, in one embodiment, configured so as to record the signal information. The processing system 12 is configured for processing signals from the sensors 4 and 6 and determining 20 changes in the relative displacement of one sensor to the other and thus relative motion of the first member 60 relative to the second member 62. This is achieved by the processing system 12 determining the difference between the signals from the first and second sensors (ie, the 25 accelerometers 8 and 10) and when this difference exceeds a predetermined threshold the processing system 12 produces and indication such as a signal or an alarm indicative of the motions of the first member 60 relative to the second member 62. The threshold may be adjustable and calibrated 30 for different vehicles, and takes into account differences in say vibrational motion of each of the members 60 and 62. The processing system 12 is also able to record changes in the relative displacement and log, using global positioning technology, the locations at which the change occurred. 35 The sensor units 4 and 6 (shown in Figure 1) are of identical construction. The sensor units 4, 6 comprise respective accelerometers 8, 10 and microprocessors 44, 46, 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW which receive output signals from their respective accelerometer units 8 and 10 for encrypting said signals prior to communication to the processing system 12. The respective microprocessors 44, 46 comprise input/output 5 (I/0) modules (32 and 34 respectively) which receive output signals from the accelerometers 8, 10 and transmit these signals to cryptographic modules (36 and 38 respectively) which produce correspondingly encrypted data. On-board memory modules (40 and 42) may store encryption keys for 10 the modules 36 and 38 as well as data relating to the signals from the accelerometers 8, 10 and status of and operating instructions for the respective processors 44, 46. In one embodiment, the encryption protocol employed is the Triple DES standard; however, it will be appreciated 15 that other encryption systems may be used. Cables 56 and 58 provide electrical power to the sensors 4 and 6 respectively. The power, while ultimately sourced from a battery, may be channelled via the processing system 20 12. Standard voltage/current regulators 48 and 50 are provided in the sensors 4, 6 to maintain stable and clean power. The processing system 12 is configured to receive the 25 output signals from the first 4 and second 6 sensor units and decipher the signal according to the encryption standard used. The processing system 12 processes the data obtained from the first 8 and second 10 accelerometer units using the information from the first 8 accelerometer as a 30 reference. The processing system 12 evaluates the information from the second 10 accelerometer to determine whether any relative movement between both accelerometer units has occurred. This may be achieved by pre calibrating the system 2 to establish a steady-state 35 condition that is stored in the processing system 12. The steady state condition would typically be, for example, an oscillating signal that does not deviate from a specified 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 8 threshold value. The processing system 12 thus monitors the incoming data to determine if the steady-state condition is deviated from. The data may be formulated appropriate for communication or broadcast to a centralised 5 communication network using any known wireless transmission means, i.e., cellular networks using GMS or CDMA-like communication standards. The embodiment of the system 2 shown in Figure 2 may also 10 comprise a global positioning system (GPS) that is incorporated in or otherwise in communication with the processing system 12 to provide the global position of the system. In this way the system 2 can log the location(s) at which variations in the relative displacement of the 15 sensor units from each other occur. Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the system 2 incorporated in a petrol tanker 20. The first sensor 4 is disposed on a first member 60 which comprises a part of the chassis 18 of 20 the tanker 20 and communicates with the processing system 12 by a first wire loom 14. Similarly, the second sensor 6 is disposed on a second member 62 in the form of a locking bar 22 of the tanker 20, and which is rotatable relative to the first member 60 in an arc 64. The second sensor 6 25 communicates with the processing system 12 by a second wire loom 16. The voltage supply cables 56 and 58 are carried by the wire looms 14 and 16 respectively. The embodiment of system 2 shown in Figure 2 may be 30 calibrated so that an initial reference or steady-state position (or angle) between first 8 and second 10 accelerometers is obtained and stored by the processing system 12. This effectively denotes the relative position (or angle) between the first 60 and second 62 members. The 35 second member 62 may then be repositioned to a specified position (or angle) and the relative position (or angle) to the first member 60 logged and registered by the processing 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 9 system 12. When the system 2 is operable, any movement or deviation of the second member 62, relative to the first member 60, that is substantially equal to the pre-specified position (or angle), will result in a change from the pre 5 logged steady-state value being detected. The detected change will be registered in the processing system 12 and may be compiled for recording and/or transmission or broadcast. 10 Figure 3 and Figure 4 both show a further embodiment in which the first sensor 4 is installed on, for example, a fuel delivery vehicle 20. The first sensor 4 is positioned and secured on the chassis 18 of the vehicle 20. Alternatively, the first sensor 4 may be configured to fit 15 within a portion of the chassis 18 of the vehicle 20 to protect and conceal the device from view. The second sensor 6 is disposed upon a guard member 22 that is movable relative to the chassis 18. The guard member 22 20 is configured to be lockable in a locked or closed position (shown in Figure 3) so that non-authorised access to a plurality of fuel outlets 26 disposed on the fuel delivery vehicle 20 is restricted. The guard member 22 may be constructed of any conventional section of material having 25 high strength properties (such as steel) and may comprise a plurality of guard plates 68 configured to be proximal each fuel outlet 26 when the guard member 22 is in a locked or closed position to restrict access. The second sensor 6 may also be configured to be disposed inside a portion of 30 the guard member 22 to protect and conceal the device from view. It may be appreciated that the guard member 22 may be replaced with individual guards for each outlet 26, where each of the individual guards has its own second sensor. In this way it is possible to detect access to 35 each outlet 26 individually. The first 14 and second 16 wire looms may be assembled or attached to the chassis 18 (or body) of the fuel delivery 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 10 vehicle 20 in an appropriate manner to restrict access to said looms. Each of the first 14 and second 16 wire looms leading to the CPU 12 may be encased or sheathed within a high strength casing (such as, for example, stainless 5 steel) so that each respective loom cannot be cut or disabled. It may be appreciated that any high strength material may be used to encapsulate the wire looms. The unit 12 is typically located in the cabin of the vehicle 20 but may be stored in other safe and protected areas of the 10 vehicle 20 that have restricted access. When the system 2 of Figures 3 and 4 is installed on a fuel delivery vehicle 20, the guard member 22 is typically locked or secured in a closed position (shown in Figure 3) 15 to guard access to the fuel outlets 26 between delivery stops. When the delivery vehicle 20 makes an authorised and unauthorised delivery, the guard bar is unlocked and raised (shown in Figure 4), permitting access to the fuel outlets 26. Calibration of the system 2 is performed so 20 that movement of the guard bar 22 to a position (or angle) relative to the chassis 18 that allows access to the fuel outlets 26 will be registered as a predefined deviation from the pre-established steady-state position. The system 2 can operate using various relative motion detection 25 algorithms. In one algorithm when the system 2 senses that the position of sensor unit 6 is displaced by more than a predetermined angle which allows for play in the bar 22, the unit 12 records the occurrence of this and the location at which it occurs. In a second algorithm, the system 2 30 may be calibrated and operated to only record and/or notify changes in the steady state difference between outputs from sensors 4 and 6 when this difference is equal to the required angular displacement of the bar 22 necessary in order to allow coupling of a hose to the outlets 26. 35 Movement such as heel or roll of the vehicle does not affect the output data from the first 8 and second 10 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 11 accelerometers, as the processing system 12 only considers and evaluates the current relative position against the calibrated steady-state position. It may be appreciated that the sensory devices may be placed anywhere on the 5 vehicle provided one sensor unit establishes a reference point and is thus affixed to a portion of the vehicle 20 that remains relatively stationary to said vehicle (i.e. the chassis). The alternative sensor is placed on the member of the vehicle 20 that performs the relative 10 movement of interest. While the vehicle 20 is in transit between authorised deliveries, if at any time during the journey the guard member 22 is moved sufficiently to permit access to the 15 fuel outlet ports 26, occurrence of the non-steady-state condition is registered within the processing system 12. The global position of the transport vehicle 20 may also be registered. 20 At any time the steady state condition has been deviated from, the registered data may be transmitted to a centralised communications network by the transmitter means 70 for communication to a centralised monitoring system. The centralised monitoring system may be located in a 25 foreign country. It may be appreciated that the system 2 may be installed in any situation where relative movement between two objects is to be monitored. Further, the use of accelerometers 30 allows the monitoring to be achieved in a covert manner. Either of the embodiments of the system 2 described herein may be used for monitoring the safekeeping of goods during periods of time in transit or storage in which said goods are to be locked. Furthermore, system 2 can be used for 35 monitoring any movement of sensor 6 relative to sensor 4 for any other application. For example to detect access to a secure area. 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 12 Numerous variations and modifications will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the relevant art, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts. All such variations 5 and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW

Claims

1. A security system for determining whether at least one fuel aperture has been accessed, the system 5 comprising: a first sensor unit supported by a first member, the first member being associated with the aperture, the first sensor unit being configured to transmit a first output signal indicative of motion of the first member; 10 a second sensor unit supported by a second member and configured to transmit a second output signal indicative of motion of the second member; and a processing system configured to receive said first and second output signals, 15 wherein the second member is moveable relative to the first member, the second member being moveable between a first position in which access to the aperture is prevented and a second position in which the aperture can be accessed, 20 wherein said processing system provides an indication of the second member moving to the second position when a difference between the first output signal and the second output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. 25

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein each sensor unit comprises a respective accelerometer, each accelerometer producing motion signals indicative of motion of its corresponding sensor unit. 30

3. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second output signals are encrypted.

4. The system according to claim 2 wherein each sensor 35 unit comprises a cryptographic module which encrypts the motion signal from its corresponding accelerometer to produce respective first and second encrypted output 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 14 signals.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a global positioning system. 5

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first member comprises a portion of a vehicle chassis. 10

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said portion of a vehicle chassis is configured to locate said first sensor unit internally.

8. A system according to any of the preceding claims, 15 wherein said second member is configured to locate said second sensor unit internally.

9. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second member comprises a high strength steel 20 bar.

10. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said vehicle is a fuel transport vehicle. 25

11. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second sensor units communicate with said processing system by at least one respective electrical communication cable. 30

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one communication cable is encased in a high strength stainless steel conduit.

13. A system according to any of the preceding claims, 35 wherein said first and second sensor units are in wireless communication with said processing system. 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 15

14. A method of determining whether at least one fuel aperture has been accessed, said method comprising: receiving a first set of output signals from a first sensor located on a first member, the first member being 5 associated with the aperture, the first sensor unit being configured to transmit a first output signal indicative of motion of the first member; receiving a second set of output signals from a second sensor located on a second member, the second 10 member being configured to transmit a second output signal indicative of motion of the second member; and processing the first and second output signals to produce a steady-state differential signal and detecting motion of the second sensor relative to the first sensor 15 on the basis of a variation in the respective output signals, wherein the second member is moveable relative to the first member, the second member being moveable between a first position in which access to the aperture is 20 prevented and a second position in which the aperture can be accessed, and wherein, as a result of the processing step, an indication is provided of the second member moving to the second position when a difference between the first output 25 signal and the second output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising encrypting one or both of the first and second sets of 30 output signals.

16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising the step of: recording the occurrence of the second member moving 35 to the second position.

17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW - 16 further comprising the step of: recording the global position of said first member using a global positioning system, said recording of the global position occurring at regular intervals as well as 5 whenever motion of the second member relative to the first member is detected.

18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17 further comprising the step of: 10 transmitting the global position at regular intervals as well as whenever motion of the second member relative to the first member is detected.

19. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with 15 reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5437325 1 (GHMatters) P75874.AU.1 NARELLEW