Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
  • G08B13/12—Mechanical actuation by the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires
  • G08B13/126—Mechanical actuation by the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
  • G08B13/128—Mechanical actuation by the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room the housing being an electronic circuit unit, e.g. memory or CPU chip

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for monitoring a container for receiving goods, wherein one or more surfaces of the container with an electrically conductive
• the material serves as a sensor means for detecting changes in state of the physical nature of the container material and a data processing unit on the container receives this state information from the sensor means.
• the invention further relates to a container for receiving goods and for carrying out the method according to the invention.
• Damage to the transported goods can occur, for example, if goods are not at certain
• Ambient conditions such as temperature, air composition or humidity are transported, so that in particular food or medicines are not among the required optimal conditions.
• Ambient conditions such as temperature, air composition or humidity are transported, so that in particular food or medicines are not among the required optimal conditions.
• the environmental conditions of such goods can be monitored and logged in a container. The monitoring makes it possible, if necessary, to directly influence the conditions of the transport containers.
• a system for monitoring containers in which the environmental condition is monitored and controlled in the containers with perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables, is known for example from German patent application DE 195 34 948 Al.
• the system provides condition monitoring devices in the containers, which communicate with a monitoring center via a telephone, radio or satellite connection. That revealed
• System also provides an anti-theft device in which the position of a container is detected, for example by satellite positioning methods such as GPS. If the position differs from a preset target position, an alarm can be triggered with different follow-up scenarios.
• Integrity of the packaging is provided with conductive ribbons and a control module, with damage to the package forming the circuit of the ribbons interrupts and this is detected as damage.
• the occurrence of damage may be written to a memory, this information being indicated, for example, by the location of the damage to the package, the date, time and position of the package within the package
• Transport system can be supplemented. Via an interface, this information can be read out and further processed.
• International patent application WO 2004/078787 A1 also discloses a package which is coated with a conductive ink to detect damage.
• the packaging further includes a temperature sensor which measures the temperature within the package. The temperature value is stored and can also be read out via an interface at a later time.
• Transport containers the goods can be stolen from the containers on the transport route or at various intermediate stations. It is therefore desirable for a commissioned transport company to be able to prove that a container of goods within a certain transport order has not been opened and, if necessary, certain specifications have been complied with. If an unwanted event occurs on the container, it should be registered promptly.
• the object of the invention is therefore to provide a container for the transport of goods, which opposite known containers allows improved monitoring of the transport of goods.
• the object of the invention is also to provide a method for monitoring containers with goods.
• Embodiment of the method according to the invention represents the method according to claims 18 -25.
• the object is further achieved by a container according to claim 26.
• Advantageous embodiments of the container will become apparent from the dependent claims 21-21, wherein the further claims 38-42 relate to a particularly preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention.
• the inventive method for monitoring a container for receiving goods provides that one or more surfaces of the container are provided with an electrically conductive material, wherein the material serves as a sensor means for detecting changes in state of the physical nature of the container material.
• a data processing unit on the container receives this
• the method is characterized in that a location means in connection with the container, the position of the container is determined and the position of the container is assigned to the state information obtained from the sensor means.
• the position of the container can be determined by a locating means directly on the container or on a means of transport, with which the container is transported. If the locating means is located at an associated means of transport, it is preferably in connection with the data processing unit of the container.
• the position of the container can be determined, for example, by a locating means in the form of a GSM module, a GPS module and / or a direction-finding transmitter.
• the different locating means can be used in dependence on a required accuracy of the position determination, wherein they can be used selectively or in parallel.
• the method provides that the status information obtained from the sensor means is compared with setpoints, with a deviation from a setpoint value being considered as an alarm.
• the comparison of the state information is preferably carried out by comparing the measured electrical properties of the conductive layers with a desired value of the electrical properties. It can be provided that a deviation of the
• Sensing means detected physical nature of the container material is not considered an alarm from a target value, if the deviation is associated with a position of the container, which is deposited as a position for the permitted opening of a container in the data processing unit.
• the status information obtained from the sensor means is a communication module to the
• Container transmits, and the communication module transmits the status information to a message receiving device.
• the communication module is preferably a GSM module.
• the transmission of the status information from the communication module to the message receiving device may take place on the transport path or after the arrival of the container at the destination.
• the transmission of the status information on the transport path preferably takes place only if a comparison within the data processing unit reveals that a deviation of the status information of setpoint values detected by the sensor means is regarded as an alarm.
• the determination of the position of the container and the assignment of the position to the status information obtained by the sensor means preferably takes place in the data processing unit of the container, but it can also be in the message receiving device or. in the monitoring center.
• the container is provided with an atmospheric measuring device which detects the atmosphere in the interior of the container, and the measured values of the atmosphere measuring device are transmitted to the data processing unit of the container.
• the atmospheric measuring device may be, for example, a temperature and / or humidity sensor whose measured values are transmitted to the data processing unit of the container.
• a goods detection means for example, an antenna may be provided which circumferentially around the opening edge of the Container is attached. The goods are registered by reading out RFID tags located on the goods when the RFID tags are moved past the antenna when the goods are introduced into the container.
• the container may further be provided with a bulk detection device which detects the goods when all the goods are loaded in the container.
• At least the number of goods brought into the container is registered in the data processing unit.
• a material removed from the container reduces the number of goods detected in the data processing unit, wherein the process of removing a product from the container is registered by detecting the number of processes in which the identifiable RFID tag associated with the article became an even number.
• Message receiving device may be located, for example, in the area of the recipient of the goods or in the area of a monitoring center.
• the invention also encompasses a container with means for monitoring according to the invention.
• the container comprises a data processing unit and location means for determining the position of the container in connection with the container.
• the container has a communication module in connection with the data processing unit and an atmosphere measuring device such as a temperature and / or humidity sensor.
• the container further comprises a protective sheath. It is also advantageous embodiment of the container with a goods detection means for registering at least the number of objects introduced into the container.
• the method according to the invention has the advantage that the condition of a container during the transport of goods can be comprehensively monitored.
• Techniques for measuring and monitoring the physical nature of a container material and / or environmental conditions may be used in conjunction with locating means to associate an event or condition on the container with a position of the container. This allows for the exact definition of the location and thus, for example, a jurisdiction in which an event has occurred.
• locators are used with different precision, they can be used depending on the required accuracy range. Particularly advantageous is the use of a communication module, which can send captured data continuously or in case of an alarm to a monitoring component.
• the use of a Goods detection means advantageous, which allows the registration of all objects in the container.
• This information can in turn be assigned a position of the respective container and the communication module used to send the data to various message receiving devices.
• the goods intended for transport have been introduced into the container and a possible theft can only occur during the transport.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a particularly preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a container with protective covering
• FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a container with means for registering the goods.
• container 10 for receiving and transporting goods may be, for example, a cuboid container with a bottom surface, four side walls and a lid assembly.
• the container may be made of different materials such as cardboard, wood, plastic, metal or combinations thereof. If a soft material such as cardboard is used, it may be expedient to provide the cardboard with a protective sheath 100 which completely encloses the container. This protective cover may for example also consist of plastic, wood or metal.
• the protective sheath 100 comprises a wooden pallet floor 110 and side walls and a hard plastic lid.
• the floor 110 is formed like conventional pallets and fixed or detachably connected to the side walls made of hard plastic.
• the protective sheath 100 may be firmly connected to the basic container 10, but it has j edoch proven advantageous to perform separable from this. This makes it possible to transport the basic container protected on sections of a transport through the shell, while the container on other transport routes, where no additional protection is required, can be transported or stored without protective cover.
• the protective cover 100 is thereby recyclable and can be used for a high number of transport operations, even if the basic container 10 is damaged and no longer usable.
• all of the wall surfaces of the container 10 are provided with surfaces of electrically conductive material which serves as sensor means 30 for detecting changes in the physical condition of the container material.
• the entire surface of the container may be coated with conductive material or only partial surfaces thereof.
• the container surface is provided with a plurality of conductive bands, which in the form of electronic ink directly on the container material or on a
• the conductive bands 30 are connected to a data processing unit 40, which is in communication with the container 10.
• the data processing unit expediently has at least one voltage source, computing means for processing data and storage means.
• the unit is preferably located directly on or in the container 10. In order to protect the unit against unauthorized access, the individual components may be incorporated, for example, in the container material.
• the conductive bands 30 of the container can be used in various ways as sensor means for monitoring the Condition of the container material can be used.
• the resistance of the bands can be permanently measured, whereby a fluctuation of the resistance is regarded as damage to the container material. Since this provides the ability to manipulate the monitoring by bridging bands, it has been found useful to monitor an analog resistance value. It is advantageous to use reference bands to natural changes in resistance, for example, by aging, moisture or
• the conductive bands 30 also extend in the area of the container lid surfaces 11. As is known in the monitoring of envelopes of the prior art, it may be provided
• the closure of a container lid 11 made of cardboard can be designed such that two or four lid surfaces are folded over and connected to one another. Such a lid with two visible lid surfaces is shown in FIG. 1 shown.
• the cover surfaces 11 are preferably connected to a non-illustrated adhesive strip, which is applied to areas of the surfaces to which the conductive tapes have a low adhesion. The adhesive strips can thus not be removed to open the lid, without the underlying conductive bands detach with and a resulting change in the electrical properties of the bands is registered.
• overlapping cover surfaces 11 are provided with capacitive connection surfaces 12, which extend, for example, along the edges of the cover surfaces, as shown in FIG. 1 is shown.
• connection surfaces When the lid is closed, two connecting surfaces lie on top of each other, so that a capacitive element having a relatively high capacitance is formed from the two connecting surfaces 12.
• the connection surfaces are also in communication with the data processing unit 40 and the reduction of the capacity can thus be registered as the opening of the lid.
• a lid assembly with capacitive connection surfaces 12 has the advantage that no solid closure by
• Adhesive strip is required and also a multiple opening and closing can be registered without the lid closure is destroyed. Goods 20 can thus be removed from or added to the container if authorized to do so while unauthorized operations are registered.
• An essential part of the invention is that the container 10 is in communication with a locating means 50 for determining the position of the container.
• the locating means 50 is preferably located directly on the container, but it can also be located on a means of transport with which the container is transported.
• the locating means may be located on an aircraft, truck or ship, with which the container is transported.
• the locating means may be, for example, a direction-finding transmitter, a GSM module or a GPS module.
• the direction finder is attached to the container or associated transport and can be located from a remote station. In this case, the information about the position of the container of the data processing unit 40 is not available, so that the direction finder is expediently supplemented by another module such as a GPS (Global Position System) location. In the case of a GPS location, its current position can be transmitted to the associated satellite receiver so that the position of the container for the data processing unit 40 is available.
• GPS Global Position System
• a GSM module to which its position is transmitted by means of a cell location.
• the use of a GSM module is also advantageous because it can be used simultaneously as a communication module for sending information.
• the locating means mentioned by way of example can be used optionally or in parallel.
• at least two of said locating means are used to determine the position of the container.
• This embodiment has the advantage that the position of the container due to the different locating techniques with a variable accuracy and, if necessary, can also be determined within closed spaces.
• the direction finder can be used, while for the determination of a larger radius, the location of the GPS and / or GSM module is sufficient.
• the container 10O further comprises an atmosphere meter 70, with which the atmospheric conditions within or at
• the atmosphere meter is also in connection with the
• the measuring device may be, for example, a temperature or humidity sensor whose measured values are transmitted to the data processing unit 40.
• the container further comprises a communication module 80 which is connected to the data processing unit 40.
• the communication module 80 may be, for example, a PC interface for reading out data. Particularly preferred, however, is the use of a GSM module with which messages can be sent and received in the GSM network.
• the communication module is designed so that it can transmit data received from the data processing unit to a monitoring center 60 and / or to alternative message picking means 61.
• the monitoring center can be, for example, a center of the transport and logistics company, which transports the goods in the container.
• Other message receiving means 61 may be located at the sender or recipient of the transported goods, so that These stations can also receive messages from the container.
• Communication module 80 allows monitoring of the container, whereby various parameters such as integrity, position and environmental conditions can be monitored. All available or selected parameters can be monitored.
• the monitoring of the integrity of the container 10 is achieved by the sensor means 30 in the form of conductive surfaces, wherein the measured electrical properties of the sensor means of the data processing unit 40 are transmitted.
• it can be monitored whether a container is cut open during transport, for example by sharp objects, so that goods can be removed without authorization.
• Position of the container by the locating means 50 to determine.
• a container has moved away from a given route, which is an indication of any irregularity or even the theft of the goods in the container, which may need to be checked.
• Determining the position can be used in particular to assign an alarm to a position of the container at which an irregularity has occurred.
• Moisture within the container is achieved by the corresponding sensor 70, the values of which are also transmitted to the data processing unit. So can For example, when transporting food or medicines are monitored, whether the required atmospheric conditions are met.
• Methods of monitoring the container 10 may provide for various types of alarms and responses thereto. It can be provided, for example, to store the data recorded on the container in the data processing unit 40 and / or continuously via the communication module 80 to a monitoring center 60 or. to transmit alternative message receiving means 61. In the case of pure storage, the data can be read out and processed, for example, at the destination of the container via an interface. This can be done by connecting the communication module 80 to a
• Receiving device are performed, wherein the connection can be made via a direct contact or a remote transmission.
• remote transmission are suitable as a communication means, for example, RFID chips in the container whose stored data can be read.
• the evaluation of the deviations of the measured values from desired values can also be carried out in the data processing unit 40 itself or in a separate evaluation unit.
• the data is read, for example, at the destination and evaluated whether deviations from target states have occurred. This may be appropriate if the application in question only requires the determination of whether a container has been correctly transported and where it has been damaged.
• the communication module 80 transmits data of the container to the monitoring center 60 already during the transport.
• the data processing unit does not send a continuous data stream, but instead carries out an evaluation of the measured status information and triggers an alarm in the event of deviations from nominal values. Only when an alarm is triggered are the central monitoring unit 60 resp.
• alternative message receiving means 61 transmits information about the condition of the container. This notification preferably includes the type of deviation from a target value and the associated position at which the deviation occurred. For example, if an alarm is triggered regarding the integrity of the container, it is assigned the current position of the container and it can be checked on-site if the container has been damaged in the course of a theft.
• the container according to the invention also allows further methods for checking the authorized opening. For example, it may be programmed in the data processing unit 40 that the container may only be opened at a certain location. When the container is opened, the position of the container currently detected by the locating means 50 is thus compared with the stored location of the authorized opening. If the positions match, the aperture is registered as correct. If the comparison shows that the positions deviate from each other, this is considered an unauthorized opening of the container.
• Different tolerances for the deviation from one position can be programmed, whereby it is again advantageous to use different locating means with different ones Use accuracy. For example, a direction finder may be used if the position at the opening is to be approximately Im. This is the case, for example, when a container within a building may only be opened in certain rooms. If a larger area is allowed for the opening, then less accurate positioning means such as GSM or GPS modules may be used.
• the authorized opening of a container requires an access code or. an activation of the container.
• the access code can be entered directly by a user into the data processing unit. Access control can be achieved particularly advantageously, however, by virtue of the fact that the data processing unit 40 requests, via the communication module 80, an activation of the container, for example at the monitoring center 60 or in alternative components. If certain conditions are met, the monitoring center, for example, transmits an access code to the data processing unit 40 and the container can be opened without being considered unauthorized access. In this way, it can also be realized that the transmission of an access code of several components or users is required to authorize an opening of the container without triggering an alarm.
• the container is provided with a goods detection means 90 for registering the goods in the container 10.
• a goods detection means 90 for registering the goods in the container 10.
• Such an arrangement with an antenna mounted circumferentially around the opening edge of the container 10 is shown schematically in FIG. 3 shown. To simplify the illustration, the lid surfaces of the container are not shown.
• the goods 20 are preferably provided with an RFID tag 21, which is read out as the object moves past the antenna.
• the antenna 90 being connected to the data processing unit 40 in which the detection of the goods is registered.
• RFID tags offer j edoch the advantage that they are already attached to identification purposes on different goods and that, if necessary, further data can be read.
• the data processing unit Upon detection of the goods, at least the number of articles loaded in the container is registered, and the data processing unit further provides computing means which register when an article is removed from the container. This can be achieved, for example, by storing the number of processes in which the uniquely identifiable RFID tag belonging to an article was detected. If the number of acquisition operations is an even number, the item is registered as no longer in the container. If the number of operations is an odd number, the item is registered as being in the container.
• a bulk detection of the RFID tags 21 of all objects in the container can alternatively be provided when the filling process has been completed.
• Pulse detection can be triggered, for example, after the filling process by a staff member.
• an edge antenna can be additionally provided, which registers the removal of an already registered by the pulse detection RFID tags.
• the detection of the goods 20 by the goods detection means 90 may further provide for reading out further data from the associated RFID tag 21.
• This may include, for example, information such as the sender or receiver of the item, information about required atmospheric conditions during transport, a predetermined transport route or data for identifying the item.
• These data are also stored in the data processing unit 40 and optionally processed. For example, nominal values for monitoring the container can be generated on the basis of the data.
• the container according to the invention with a locating means 50 makes it possible to associate the position of the container with the goods to be detected 20.
• the communication module 80 further allows the transmission of a corresponding message to a message receiving means 61 and / or a monitoring center 60 that goods have been introduced into a container. If the communication module is a GSM module, it can send a text message to the monitoring center 60 or a corresponding receiving means 61. As a result, for example, the sender can receive a confirmation that the correct number and type of goods has been placed in a container at a shipping location.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
• Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
• Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
• Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
• Fuses (AREA)
• Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

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Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2005
  • 2005-01-06 DE DE102005001118A patent/DE102005001118A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-06-21 AU AU2005324208A patent/AU2005324208B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2005-06-21 CN CN2005800459670A patent/CN101099182B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-06-21 EP EP05755957A patent/EP1836690B1/fr not_active Not-in-force
  • 2005-06-21 BR BRPI0518492-4A patent/BRPI0518492A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-06-21 JP JP2007549802A patent/JP2008526649A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-06-21 CA CA2592058A patent/CA2592058C/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-06-21 RU RU2007129780/09A patent/RU2385496C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-06-21 PL PL05755957T patent/PL1836690T3/pl unknown
  • 2005-06-21 DE DE502005005156T patent/DE502005005156D1/de active Active
  • 2005-06-21 US US11/794,841 patent/US20110156910A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-21 PT PT05755957T patent/PT1836690E/pt unknown
  • 2005-06-21 DK DK05755957T patent/DK1836690T3/da active
  • 2005-06-21 NZ NZ555854A patent/NZ555854A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-06-21 WO PCT/EP2005/006680 patent/WO2006072268A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2005-06-21 SI SI200530474T patent/SI1836690T1/sl unknown
  • 2005-06-21 AT AT05755957T patent/ATE405905T1/de active
  • 2005-06-21 ES ES05755957T patent/ES2313363T3/es active Active
• 2007
  • 2007-06-27 IL IL184264A patent/IL184264A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-07-26 NO NO20073927A patent/NO20073927L/no not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2007-08-03 ZA ZA200706477A patent/ZA200706477B/en unknown

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