EP2144208B1 - Security device to monitor the access to an object - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a flexible envelope (1) with a mesh (2) made of a flexible high resistant plastic wire and a flexible conductor wire that is surrounded by a flexible insulating sleeve. Closing units (6) close an opening (5) of the envelope, and have opposite conductor tracks. Control units control the continuity of the conductor wire and position change of the tracks, and act under capacitive effect generated by the contact of the tracks. A flexible resistant layer (12) e.g. thick paper or plastic layer, is applied on an external surface of the mesh.

Description

The present invention relates to a security device for monitoring the accessibility of an object, for example during a transfer of said device from one point to another, for example a postal item, by any communication channel, of the aerial type. , terrestrial or maritime, but also during a storage of said object, temporary or permanent, in any place, for example sorting center, depot, public place, private, home, or the like. By transfer of the object, one understands in the broad sense the static phases of the transfer of the object, for example during any immobilization whatsoever, including transit, distribution terminal, etc ...

The prior art teaches us with the document EP 0 347 209 a security envelope comprising a flexible sheet of insulating material which covers the entire surface of the envelope and which supports an electrically conductive, flexible linear element in the form of a series of lines on both its sides; surfaces, the flexible linear element being disposed on the surface in a conformation dividing the surface so that an attempt to open the envelope modifies an electrical characteristic of the flexible linear element, the modification being detectable by an electrical circuit . According to the teachings of this document, the series of lines on each side of the sheet of insulating material is disposed between points spaced from each other around the edge of the sheet, the points on one side of the sheet being coincident with the points on the other side of the sheet, and the lines on one side of the sheet being arranged obliquely to the lines on the other side of the sheet and connected thereto at the coincidence points of the sheet. to form a single conductor that divides the sheet into a matrix of relatively small areas.

We also know with the document EP 1 241 647 , a security device for storing and transporting documents or values comprising an envelope provided with at least one conducting wire, which follows a path on both sides of the envelope, defining an electrical circuit which is electrically closed at contact two conductive strips respectively placed on the cover of the envelope and on the upper part thereof that the flap covers when the envelope is closed. By closing the flap (flap) of the envelope, after having inserted in it the valuables, the two conductive strips are superimposed and establish by contact the electrical connection of the electrical network which runs through the surface of the envelope. The electrical network formed by the conducting wire is coupled with a device for neutralizing the contents of the envelope in the event of unauthorized opening of the circuit, or with a device for signaling a burglary committed on the envelope, via a circuit micro-programmed connected to a remote control-command device / radio-frequency remote monitoring.

The present invention aims to provide a simpler and less expensive device than that described above, and more efficient than that described above, also having less risk of electrical malfunction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for tracking and supervising the transport of said object.

Another objective is to propose a device that can offer a wide variety of container sizes for housing objects of very different dimensions.

• au moins une enveloppe souple constituée d'un tissu réalisé à partir d'au moins un fil conducteur souple entouré d'une gaine isolante souple, ladite enveloppe souple adoptant une forme de poche définissant une partie creuse apte à contenir ledit objet, et au moins une ouverture que ledit objet est apte à traverser pour être logé dans ladite partie creuse,
• des moyens de fermeture de ladite ouverture comportant au moins une première et une deuxième pistes conductrices dont l'une au moins est dotée d'au moins d'une couche conductrice autocollante, lesdites première et deuxième pistes conductrices constituant les deux électrodes, anode et cathode, d'une capacité, et étant aptes à adopter au moins les deux positions distinctes suivantes :
  • une première position, dite position active, dans laquelle les première et deuxième pistes conductrices sont en contact l'une avec l'autre via ladite couche conductrice autocollante, fermant ladite ouverture,
  • une deuxième position, dite position inactive, dans laquelle les première et deuxième pistes conductrices sont séparées l'une de l'autre, libérant ladite ouverture,
• des moyens de contrôle, dont une partie au moins est intégrée dans ladite enveloppe souple, au moins de la continuité dudit fil conducteur constitutif de ladite enveloppe souple, et du changement de position desdites première et deuxième pistes conductrices au moins, agissant par un effet capacitif généré par le contact de deux pistes en vis-à-vis.

More specifically, the invention relates to a security device for enabling the monitoring of accessibility to an object, comprising:

• at least one flexible envelope consisting of a fabric made from at least one flexible conductive wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sheath, said flexible envelope adopting a pocket shape defining a hollow portion adapted to contain said object, and at least an opening that said object is able to pass through to be housed in said hollow portion,
• means for closing said opening comprising at least first and second conductive tracks, at least one of which is provided with at least one self-adhesive conductive layer, said first and second conductive tracks constituting the two electrodes, anode and cathode , of a capacity, and being able to adopt at least the two following distinct positions:
  • a first position, said active position, in which the first and second conductive tracks are in contact with each other via said self-adhesive conductive layer, closing said opening,
  • a second position, called the inactive position, in which the first and second conductive tracks are separated from each other, releasing said opening,
• control means, at least a part of which is integrated in said flexible envelope, at least the continuity of said constituent wire of said flexible envelope, and the change of position of said first and second conductive tracks at least, acting by a capacitive effect generated by the contact of two tracks vis-à-vis.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to reduce very significantly the electrical connections and proposes a simple envelope which can advantageously be made by means of a single wire, with very few electrical connections, of the welding type or electrical connector or the like, even a simple electrical connection of the fabric to the control means. The object whose accessibility is to be monitored is capable of being enclosed within the flexible pouch-shaped envelope, which will more or less conform to the contours of said object by virtue of its flexibility, in order to reduce to a minimum the size of the device relative to the volume of the object. Once the envelope closed thanks to the closing means as defined, the object inside is placed under surveillance by the control means, and any opening of the envelope, or by the opening provided for insertion and removal of the object, either by breaking, for example by tearing or notching the envelope, will be detected by the specified control means. Once two conductive tracks vis-à-vis are in contact with each other via the conductive adhesive layer, for example respectively the first and second tracks, and / or the third and fourth tracks, two tracks in contact with each other. produce a capacitive effect which makes it possible to locate an opening or a closure respectively by separating and contacting these two conducting tracks which modifies the electrical capacitance measured between the tracks in contact. Accessibility to an object here means crossing the barrier constituted by the protective envelope enclosing the object inside the latter, and thus constituting, a closed enclosure around the object, by the various detailed routes above. The closure means allow a subsequent reuse of the safety device after a first use, in that the conductive tracks can adopt several times the active or inactive position, by successive collages and takeoffs.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the flexible envelope further comprises a first resistant flexible layer applied to the inner surface of said fabric and intended to come into contact with said object, and a second resistant flexible layer applied to the outer surface of said fabric, said fabric being sandwiched between said first and second resilient flexible layers.

This feature is intended to protect the constituent fabric made from a conductive thread, any type of direct impact current during the object transport, that these shocks come directly from an object outside the device against the latter, or indirectly from inside via the object contained in the envelope.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said flexible envelope adopts a pocket shape whose fabric is woven or knitted in one piece.

This feature makes it possible to provide a flexible envelope construction in the most simple and reliable manner in terms of electrical signal, reducing the connections or electrical connections to a minimum.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the constituent fabric of the flexible envelope is made from at least two son, one of which is a flexible conductive wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sheath, and the other a flexible high strength plastic wire. .

This characteristic gives the flexible envelope a great resistance, thanks to a weaving or knitting which can be carried out in any known manner, for example in order to make the envelope, heat-resistant, based on ultra-resistant fabrics, or very light, from several combined son of different nature, preferably continuous, without electrical connection, the high-strength plastic wire giving the envelope most of its strength.

• un rabat apte à recouvrir ladite ouverture,
• au moins une troisième et une quatrième pistes conductrices, dont l'une au moins est dotée d'au moins d'une couche conductrice autocollante, disposées l'une sur la surface extérieure de ladite enveloppe souple, l'autre sur la surface intérieure dudit rabat, en sorte que, lorsque ledit rabat est en position de recouvrement de l'ouverture et appliqué contre la surface extérieure de l'enveloppe souple, lesdites troisième et quatrième pistes conductrices sont placées en vis-à-vis l'une de l'autre,
• lesdites première et deuxième pistes conductrices délimitant ladite ouverture et étant disposées sur la surface intérieure de l'enveloppe souple, en sorte d'être placées en vis-à-vis l'une de l'autre dans leur position active ou dans leur position inactive, correspondant respectivement à un état fermé ou ouvert de l'enveloppe.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said means for closing said at least one opening of said flexible envelope comprise:

• a flap adapted to cover said opening,
• at least one third and one fourth conductive tracks, at least one of which is provided with at least one self-adhesive conductive layer, disposed one on the outer surface of said flexible envelope, the other on the inner surface of said flap, so that, when said flap is in the covering position of the opening and applied against the outer surface of the flexible envelope, said third and fourth conductive tracks are placed opposite one of the other,
• said first and second conductive tracks defining said opening and being disposed on the inner surface of the flexible envelope so as to be placed facing each other in their active position or in their inactive position , respectively corresponding to a closed or open state of the envelope.

This feature proposes a strengthening of the closure of the envelope by a flap advantageously repositionable, allowing a strengthening of the protection of the opening of the envelope, while allowing a plurality of successive uses of the safety device according to the invention by successive manipulations of the flap by gluing and detaching the conductive tracks.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said flap consists of a fabric made from at least one flexible conductive wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sheath.

This characteristic makes it possible to provide an active flap, the deterioration of which by breaking of the constituent wire will also be controlled by the means for controlling the continuity of said at least one constituent conductor wire of said flexible envelope.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the fabric of the flap and the fabric of the flexible envelope adopting a pocket shape, are woven or knitted in one piece.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said fabric and said first and second resistant flexible layers are associated by means of glue.

This feature reinforces the cohesion and compactness of the envelope, its strength and resistance, for a transport normally can be moved and may not spare.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said first and second resilient flexible layers comprise a layer of strong paper or plastic, for example tear-proof plastic.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device according to the invention comprises means for controlling at least one of the following environments: temperature, pressure, X-rays, ultrasound, to which said flexible envelope is subjected, comprising at least one of following sensors: temperature, pressure, X-ray, ultrasound sensor, integrated into the flexible envelope.

This feature makes it possible to monitor and supervise the transport of said object, in particular by monitoring certain indicators or parameters capable of providing information on the path of the envelope, and therefore of the object it contains.

• des moyens de communication RF (émetteur/récepteur) mobiles à double circuit intégrés dans ladite enveloppe souple,
• des moyens de communication RF (émetteur/récepteur) de base placés à distance de ladite enveloppe souple et apte à communiquer avec lesdits moyens de communication RF (émetteur/récepteur) mobile intégrés dans l'enveloppe souple,
• un premier circuit desdits moyens de communication RF mobiles étant destiné à la communication avec lesdits moyens de communication RF (émetteur/récepteur) de base,
• un deuxième circuit desdits moyens de communication RF mobiles étant destiné à recharger une batterie d'alimentation à faible épaisseur intégrée dans ladite enveloppe souple
• une carte électronique de mesure de la continuité du fil conducteur constitutif de ladite enveloppe souple, du changement de position des pistes conductrices, et le cas échéant de l'environnement de l'enveloppe souple, au moins.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said means for controlling the continuity of the constituent wire of said flexible envelope, the positional change of the conductive tracks, and where appropriate the environment of the flexible envelope, comprise:

• dual circuit mobile RF (transmitter / receiver) communication means integrated in said flexible envelope,
• basic RF communication means (transmitter / receiver) placed at a distance from said flexible envelope and adapted to communicate with said mobile RF communication means (transmitter / receiver) integrated in the flexible envelope,
• a first circuit of said mobile RF communication means being intended for communication with said basic RF (transmitter / receiver) communication means,
• a second circuit of said mobile RF communication means being intended to recharge a low-thickness power supply battery integrated into said flexible envelope
• an electronic card for measuring the continuity of the conducting wire constituting said flexible envelope, the position change of the conductive tracks, and where appropriate the environment of the flexible envelope, at least.

This feature allows remote monitoring and control of accessibility to the object contained in the flexible envelope, as well as, where appropriate, the environment of the flexible envelope, from a base constituting, for example, a center for monitoring and controlling the routing of objects contained in the flexible envelope.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device according to the invention comprises means for dating and recording a discontinuity of the constituent wire of said flexible envelope, as well as an at least partial change of position of said conductive tracks, corresponding to a change of state open / closed envelope or an attempt to change the open / closed state of the envelope.

At least partial change of position of the conductive tracks means any change consisting of a partial detachment of the tracks, even if this detachment can not cause an opening of the envelope: this is an attempt to open.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the part integrated in the envelope, said means for controlling the continuity of the constituent wire of the flexible envelope, the position change of the conductive tracks, and the environment of the envelope if appropriate , adopts the shape of a flexible and thin electronic card integrated into the flexible envelope.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said electronic card integrated in the flexible envelope is assigned a unique serial number.

This characteristic makes it possible to identify a particular envelope among a plurality of flexible envelopes, all advantageously forming parts of the device according to the invention, thus making it possible to monitor and control all the flexible envelopes of the device.

• La figure 1 représente de manière schématique une vue en perspective d'une partie d'un exemple de mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de sécurité selon l'invention, constituée de l'enveloppe souple, en éclaté avant assemblage.
• La figure 2 représente de manière schématique en perspective l'exemple d'enveloppe souple de la figure 1, assemblée, en position ouverte, et légèrement agrandie.
• La figure 3 représente de manière schématique un élément constitutif de l'exemple d'enveloppe souple de la figure 1, en position ouverte, suivant une vue en perspective de dessus.
• Les figures 4A et 4B représentent de manière schématique des vues en coupe longitudinale de l'exemple d'enveloppe de la figure 2, respectivement en position ouverte et fermée.
• La figure 5, composée de trois figures 5A, 5B, et 5C, représente de manière schématique trois étapes d'un exemple de mode de réalisation de l'élément d'enveloppe souple représenté sur la figure 1 ou 3.
• La figure 6 représente de manière schématique un exemple de dispositif de sécurité selon l'invention, destiné à surveiller l'accessibilité à un objet.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following reading of an exemplary embodiment of a safety device according to the invention, intended to monitor accessibility to an object, accompanied by the appended drawings, an example given for illustrative non-limiting.

• The figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a safety device according to the invention, consisting of the flexible envelope, exploded before assembly.
• The figure 2 schematically shows in perspective the example of flexible envelope of the figure 1 , assembled, in open position, and slightly enlarged.
• The figure 3 schematically represents a constituent element of the example of flexible envelope of the figure 1 , in open position, in a perspective view from above.
• The Figures 4A and 4B schematically represent views in longitudinal section of the exemplary envelope of the figure 2 , respectively in open and closed position.
• The figure 5 composed of three FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , schematically shows three steps of an exemplary embodiment of the flexible envelope element shown in FIG. figure 1 or 3 .
• The figure 6 schematically represents an example of a security device according to the invention for monitoring accessibility to an object.

• une enveloppe souple 1 constituée d'un tissu 2 réalisé à partir d'au moins un fil conducteur souple entouré d'une gaine isolante souple, l'enveloppe souple 1 adoptant une forme de poche définissant une partie creuse 3 apte à contenir l'objet, et par exemple une ouverture 5 que l'objet 4 est apte à traverser pour être logé dans la partie creuse 3,
• des moyens de fermeture 6 de l'ouverture 5 comportant au moins une première 7 et une deuxième 8 pistes conductrices dont l'une au moins est dotée d'au moins d'une couche conductrice autocollante, de préférence repositionnable, aptes à adopter au moins les deux positions distinctes et extrêmes suivantes :
• une première position, dite position active ou état fermé de l'enveloppe, comme représenté sur la figure 4B, dans laquelle les première 7 et deuxième 8 pistes conductrices sont en contact l'une avec l'autre via la couche conductrice autocollante, fermant l'ouverture 5,
• une deuxième position, dite position inactive ou état ouvert de l'enveloppe, comme représenté sur la figure 4A, dans laquelle les première 7 et deuxième 8 pistes conductrices sont séparées l'une de l'autre, libérant l'ouverture 5,
• des moyens de contrôle 9, 10, 25 de la continuité du fil conducteur constitutif de l'enveloppe souple 1, et du changement de position des première 7 et deuxième 8 pistes conductrices, au moins, dont une partie 9, 25 est intégrée dans l'enveloppe souple 1, comme cela sera expliqué plus ne détail plus loin.

The device shown in the figures, intended essentially to monitor accessibility to an object 4, comprises:

• a flexible envelope 1 consisting of a fabric 2 made from at least one flexible conductive wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sheath, the flexible envelope 1 adopting a pocket shape defining a hollow portion 3 adapted to contain the object , and for example an opening 5 that the object 4 is able to pass to be housed in the hollow portion 3,
• closing means 6 of the opening 5 comprising at least a first 7 and a second 8 conductive tracks, at least one of which is provided with at least one self-adhesive conductive layer, preferably repositionable, capable of adopting at least the two following distinct and extreme positions:
• a first position, said active position or closed state of the envelope, as represented on the Figure 4B in which the first 7 and second 8 conductive tracks are in contact with each other via the self-adhesive conductive layer, closing the opening 5,
• a second position, said inactive position or open state of the envelope, as shown on the Figure 4A in which the first 7 and second 8 conductive tracks are separated from each other, releasing the opening 5,
• control means 9, 10, 25 of the continuity of the constituent wire of the flexible envelope 1, and the change of position of the first 7 and second 8 conductive tracks, at least, a part 9, 25 is integrated in the flexible envelope 1, as will be explained more detail below.

Advantageously, and as shown more particularly on the figures 1 , 4A and 4B the flexible envelope 1 further comprises a first resiliently flexible layer 11 applied to the inner surface of the fabric 2 and intended to come into contact with the object 4, and a second resistant flexible layer 12 applied to the outer surface of the fabric 2 , the latter being sandwiched between the first 11 and second 12 resistant flexible layers. The resilient layers 11 and 12 may respectively adopt a pocket shape, one arranged and plated within the pocket formed by the fabric 2 and the other disposed and plated outside the pocket formed by the tissue 2. The layers 11 and 12 may for example consist of strong paper respectively, for example Kraft paper, or flexible plastic, difficult to tear, or said tear-proof. The layers 11 and 12 should preferably follow the inner and outer contour of the pocket formed by the fabric 2 in order to protect the entire surface, with the exception of the conductive tracks, the apparent surface of the latter to be disengaged in order to to give them an aptitude for contact with each other in pairs. For this purpose, according to one embodiment, the layers 11 and 12 will comprise for example any notch and / or window 19 necessary, appropriately arranged according to the position of the conductive tracks preferably associated with the fabric 2. In addition, Advantageously, the fabric 2 and the first 11 and second 12 resistant flexible layers are associated over their entire surface by any suitable glue means depending on the materials chosen to ensure good cohesion of the envelope.

The flexible envelope 1 preferably adopts a planar or three-dimensional pocket shape, the fabric of which is woven or knitted in one piece, as will be explained later with the help of the figure 5 or preferably in a sock-like fashion of weaving or knitting. The size of the flexible envelope 1 may be variable depending on the object 4 contained therein and which one wishes to monitor the accessibility or the object 4 to be transported, as an indication of a few tens of square centimeters to about two square meters. The flexible envelope 1 may adopt a flat shape for flat objects, or a three-dimensional shape, for example flat bellows, as shown for objects of a certain thickness, thereby increasing the volume of the hollow portion 3, by spacing the two main walls 16, 17 vis-à-vis the envelope 1, to define a hollow portion 3 parallelepiped. Other volume shapes can be used as needed.

The first 7 and second 8 conductive tracks can be arranged anyway to close the opening 5 when in contact with each other. For example, these first 7 and second 8 conductive tracks may be disposed along the edge of the pocket inlet opening and on the inner surface of the fabric 2 forming the first face 16 for the first track, while the second conductive track will be disposed opposite the first, also along the edge of the pocket opening, but on the inner surface of the fabric forming the second face of the envelope 1, so that the first and second tracks cover the inner edge of the opening 5, as shown in the figures. The conductive tracks 7 and 8 as defined above respectively constitute the two electrodes, anode and cathode, of a capacity as will be explained below.

• un rabat 13 apte à recouvrir l'ouverture 5, par exemple formé en prolongement de la deuxième face 17 de l'enveloppe, s'étendant au-delà de l'ouverture 5 afin d'être apte à être rabattu sur la première face 16 de l'enveloppe 1 et fermer ainsi l'ouverture 5 par la matière constitutive du rabat 13,
• au moins une troisième 14 et une quatrième 15 pistes conductrices, dont l'une au moins est dotée d'au moins d'une couche conductrice autocollante, de préférence repositionnable, disposées l'une sur la surface extérieure de ladite enveloppe souple, de préférence en longeant le bord de l'ouverture 5 sur la première face 16 de l'enveloppe, l'autre sur la surface intérieure du rabat 13, en sorte que, lorsque le rabat 13 est en position de recouvrement de l'ouverture 5 et appliqué contre la surface extérieure de l'enveloppe souple 1, les troisième 14 et quatrième 15 pistes conductrices sont placées en vis-à-vis l'une de l'autre, comme représenté sur la figure 4B, définissant un état fermé de l'enveloppe,
• les première 7 et deuxième 8 pistes conductrices délimitant l'ouverture 5 et étant disposées sur la surface intérieure de l'enveloppe souple 1 comme expliqué plus haut, en sorte d'être placées en vis-à-vis l'une de l'autre dans leur position active ou dans leur position inactive, correspondant respectivement à un état fermé ou ouvert de l'enveloppe.

As shown in the figures, the closing means 6 of the opening 5 of the flexible envelope 1 preferably comprise:

• a flap 13 adapted to cover the opening 5, for example formed in extension of the second face 17 of the envelope, extending beyond the opening 5 to be adapted to be folded on the first face 16 of the envelope 1 and thus close the opening 5 by the constituent material of the flap 13,
• at least a third 14 and a fourth 15 conductive tracks, at least one of which is provided with at least one self-adhesive, preferably repositionable conductive layer, disposed on the outer surface of said flexible envelope, preferably along the edge of the opening 5 on the first face 16 of the envelope, the other on the inner surface of the flap 13, so that when the flap 13 is in the covering position of the opening 5 and applied against the outer surface of the flexible envelope 1, the third 14 and fourth 15 conductive tracks are placed opposite each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B , defining a closed state of the envelope,
• the first 7 and second 8 conductive tracks delimiting the opening 5 and being arranged on the inner surface of the flexible envelope 1 as explained above, so as to be placed opposite each other in their active position or in their inactive position, respectively corresponding to a closed or open state of the envelope.

The figure 3 represents the open state of the envelope with the first 7 and second tracks spaced from each other, and jointly the flap 13 disposed in the extension of the second face 17 of the casing 1 in order to release the opening 5, the third 14 and fourth 15 conductive tracks not of course not in contact in this position of the flap 13. When the first 7 and second 8 tracks are in contact with each other, the envelope is in a closed state, that the flap 13 covers the opening 5 or not. The third 14 and fourth 15 conductive tracks reinforce the closure system of the flexible envelope 1 when they are in contact with each other.

Advantageously, the flap 13 is made of a fabric made from at least one flexible conductive wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sheath, preferably of the type 2, for example as shown in FIG. figure 5 .

The constituent fabric of the flexible envelope 1 may consist of a composite fabric produced in one piece by volume knitting (making it possible to obtain a sock type pocket), or weaving, thus including the flap 13, according to any known weaving or knitting process, advantageously from at least two son, one of which is for example a flexible copper wire covered with an insulating flexible sheath, or equivalent materials, and the other for example a flexible wire of high strength polyamide or the like. In the case of weaving, the conducting wire is for example put in series with that used for making the envelope to overlie the side edges of the envelope to close completely as shown on the figure 5 . The lateral seams 18, 20, longitudinal are advantageously made in series with the son of the two walls 16, 17 of the envelope 1.

The ends of the conductive wire or wires are connected to the means of control of the continuity of the constituent conductor son or wires of said flexible envelope, as will be explained later, which measure, for example at regular intervals, for example of the order 100 milliseconds, preferably the conductance of the son or conductors constituting the fabric 2 of the casing 1 and preferably the flap 13.

On the figure 5 three steps are shown for producing the flexible envelope 1 consisting of a fabric 2 comprising at least one conductive wire. On the Figure 5A , the fabric 2 of shape for example rectangular to obtain a rectangular flexible envelope 1, is spread flat, then a portion of the fabric 2 constituting the first 16 face or wall of the envelope 1 is folded over the other part of the fabric 2 constituting the second face or wall of the envelope 1, set back from the longitudinal edge 21 of the fabric as shown in FIG. Figure 5B , in order to advantageously form the flap 13 in the continuity of the second wall. Then the side seams 18 and 20 are made along the contiguous edges of the two walls 16 and 17 of the envelope, folded over each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 5C in order to close these edges and to form the hollow portion 3 inside the pocket thus obtained, intended to house the object 14. In the example of making the figure 5 the envelope has no bellows; however, appropriate clothing according to any known method may be used to form bellows on the wafers of the envelope to allow its volume to be increased by parallel spacing of the walls 16 and 17 from each other, such as represented on the Figures 1 to 4 for example.

The control means 9, 10, 25 of the continuity of the constituent conductor son or wires of the flexible envelope 1, measure the conductance of each configuration of the envelope, whatever the length of wire used, in order to make it possible to measure any alteration due to a break, cut, or gap. The measurement of the conductance is advantageously carried out at regular intervals, in order to present an almost continuous measurement while preserving the consumption to increase the longevity of the measurement in the absence of recharging, as will be explained in more detail below.

The conductive tracks 7, 8, 14, 15 are for example made by means of metal films, preferably sheets of copper, aluminum or the like, associated with fabric 2 preferably, or alternatively to the surface of the layers 11 and 12 of the envelope 1 covering the fabric 2 so as to be brought into contact with each other in pairs, as explained above. Each pair of conductive tracks 7, 8 and 14, 15 is formed of an anode and a cathode, one of the tracks of a pair intended to come into contact with the other being the anode and the other the cathode . For example, the conductive tracks 7 and 14, each belonging to a different pair, located on either side of the wall 16 of the envelope are preferably monoblocks by overlapping the edge 22 of the opening 5 formed by the first face 17, and constitute a single electrode, for example the cathode, for the two pairs (in the direction of the dipole) of tracks, and the separate conductive tracks 8 and 15, each also belonging to a different pair, respectively constitute the other electrode, the anode, for each couple. The two pairs of conductive tracks 7, 8 on the one hand and 14, 15 on the other hand are advantageously mounted in series. The electrodes thus formed are connected to the control means 9, 10, 25 of the position change of the conductive tracks 7 and 8, 14 and 15, two by two, which measure the two capacitive effects respectively of the two pairs of glued tracks 7, 8 and 14, 15 for closing the opening 5 of the envelope as explained above.

The capacitive measurement is calibrated during the closure of the opening 5 of the casing 1, by the contacting or reversible bonding of the two conductive tracks, 7 and 8 on the one hand, and 14 and 15 on the other hand, each pair of tracks, and any spacing of the tracks 7 and 8 on the one hand, or 14 and 15 on the other hand, which affects the measured capacity, is for example considered as an opening of the flexible envelope 1. A memorization opening and closing events of the envelope is advantageously made by the control means 9, 10, 25 of the position change of the conductive tracks, for example by means of a flash memory, with the corresponding date by means of 'an integrated clock.

The safety device represented advantageously furthermore comprises means for controlling the following environments: temperature, pressure, X-rays, to which the flexible envelope 1 is subjected during its displacement, comprising, for example, the following sensors: temperature, pressure sensor, X-rays, ultrasound, integrated into the flexible envelope 1.

• des moyens de communication (émetteur/récepteur) RF (par radiofréquence) mobiles 9, avantageusement à double circuit, intégrés dans l'enveloppe souple 1,
• des moyens de communication (émetteur/récepteur) RF (par radiofréquence) de base 10, placés à distance de l'enveloppe souple 1, par exemple dans un centre de contrôle fixe des enveloppes souples en circulation, et aptes à communiquer avec les moyens de communication (émetteur/récepteur) mobiles 9 RF (par radiofréquence) intégrés dans chaque enveloppe souple 1 en circulation et gérée par le centre de contrôle, par exemple une communication au moyen d'un réseau fédérateur de type TCP/IP,
• un premier circuit des moyens de communication RF mobiles 9 étant destiné à la communication avec les moyens de communication RF (émetteur/récepteur) de base 10, et
• un deuxième circuit des moyens de communication RF mobiles 9 étant destiné à recharger une batterie d'alimentation à faible épaisseur intégrée dans ladite enveloppe souple,
• une carte électronique 25 comportant les circuits électroniques, réalisés de toute manière connue, nécessaires pour effectuer la mesure de la conductance du ou des fils conducteurs constitutifs du tissu 2, pour effectuer la mesure de la capacitance des pistes conductrices 7, 8, 14, 15 deux à deux, avantageusement pour effectuer la mesure de l'environnement de l'enveloppe souple 1 comme indiqué plus haut, pour dater et enregistrer les données mesurées, notamment sous la forme d'évènements paramétrés, la carte électronique 25 étant réalisée de préférence sur un support souple et intégrée dans l'enveloppe souple 1.

The control means 9, 10, 25 of the continuity of the constituent wire of the flexible envelope 1, the change of position of the conductive tracks 7, 8, 14, 15, and advantageously of the environment of the flexible envelope 1 as in particular defined above, comprise for example:

• mobile RF (radio frequency) communication (transmitter / receiver) means 9, advantageously double circuit, integrated in the flexible envelope 1,
• basic radio frequency (RF) communication / transmitter (receiver / receiver) means 10 placed at a distance from the flexible envelope 1, for example in a control center which fixes flexible envelopes in circulation, and able to communicate with the control means; 9 RF (radio frequency) mobile communication (transmitter / receiver) integrated in each flexible envelope 1 in circulation and managed by the control center, for example a communication using a TCP / IP backbone,
• a first circuit of the mobile RF communication means 9 being intended for communication with the basic RF (transmitter / receiver) communication means 10, and
• a second circuit of the mobile RF communication means 9 being intended to recharge a low-thickness power supply battery integrated into said flexible envelope,
• an electronic card 25 comprising the electronic circuits, made in any known manner, necessary for measuring the conductance of the constituent conductor wire or wires of the fabric 2, in order to measure the capacitance of the conductive tracks 7, 8, 14, 15 two to two, advantageously to measure the environment of the flexible envelope 1 as indicated above, to date and record the measured data, in particular in the form of parameterized events, the electronic card 25 is preferably performed on a flexible support integrated into the flexible envelope 1.

Advantageously, the part integrated in the flexible envelope 1 of the control means 9 of the continuity of the constituent wire of the flexible envelope, the change of position of the conductive tracks, and preferably the environment of the flexible envelope 1, thus adopts the shape of a flexible electronic card 25 and thin, made in any known manner, preferably disposed on an outer face of the flexible envelope 1, the first 16 or the second face 17, for example between the fabric 2 and the protective outer layer 12, and bringing together all the elements electronic devices as described above, embedded on the flexible envelope.

The means for dating and recording a discontinuity of the constituent wire of the flexible envelope, and a change of position of the conductive tracks 7, 8, 14, 15, two by two corresponding to an open / closed state change of the envelope, or attempt of such a change state, are advantageously integrated in the electronic card 25, which is preferably further assigned a unique serial number, in order to allow a timestamp traceability of each flexible envelope 1 managed by the control center.

The dual RF circuit operates for example in a frequency range of 900 megahertz, or other if appropriate according to the authorizations in force in the countries where the device will be implemented. The electronic card 25 advantageously exchanges with the base 10, on the basis of a protocol where only differential information is exchanged in order to save the battery.

The RF data exchange between a flexible envelope 1 and the base 10 will preferably be in an encrypted mode according to the unique serial number of the electronic card 25, assigned at the factory during manufacture, and encryption keys encryption asymmetrical, meaning that the base receives a coded random code and composes a message according to an algorithm (called public key) for exchanges with the envelope, as known and used in computer networks.

• mise en oeuvre de l'enveloppe souple 1, comme décrit plus haut (affectation d'un numéro de série, étalonnage et formatage de la mémoire flash),
• déclaration de fermeture de l'enveloppe souple 1, avec datation de l'évènement,
• déclaration d'ouverture de l'enveloppe souple 1 avec datation de l'évènement,
• mise à l'heure de l'enveloppe souple 1 au moyen de l'horloge intégrée,
• téléchargement des évènements, ouvertures, fermetures, tentatives de pénétration,
• lecture du statut de l'enveloppe (numéro de série, température, ...).

An exemplary mode of operation of the security device for monitoring accessibility to an object, as described using the above example, will be described below:

• implementation of the flexible envelope 1, as described above (assignment of a serial number, calibration and formatting of the flash memory),
• declaration of closure of the flexible envelope 1, with date of the event,
• declaration of opening of the flexible envelope 1 with date of the event,
• setting the time of the flexible envelope 1 by means of the integrated clock,
• download events, openings, closures, penetration attempts,
• read the status of the envelope (serial number, temperature, ...).

The envelope may advantageously go into standby mode, according to which it only signals when it is requested during a general interrogation by the communications base. The communication base is a router that echoes the functions set out from TCP / IP type frames, to be exploitable by computer functions to monitor the status of envelopes visible in RF by the bases deployed in an enclosure (limited by RF technology).

• enveloppe utilisée pour conserver des informations avec identification permanente d'ouverture, de fermeture, d'intrusion ou de tentative d'intrusion ; le rabat 13, ou plus précisément les pistes conductrices 7, 8, 14, 15 sont surveillées, avec une mesure fine de l'effet capacitif, répondant à la volonté d'une détection évènementielle sensible, entraînant par exemple un diagnostic d'ouverture dès un écartement de quelques millimètres des pistes ;
• enveloppe pouvant être stockée, avec une durée de vie de plus de 10 ans, avec recharge régulière de la batterie disposée à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe, sans aucun contact ni fil.

Examples of using a security device to monitor accessibility to an object, as described above, will now be described:

• envelope used to store information with permanent identification of opening, closing, intrusion or attempted intrusion; the flap 13, or more precisely the conductive tracks 7, 8, 14, 15 are monitored, with a fine measurement of the capacitive effect, responding to the will of a sensitive event detection, causing for example an opening diagnosis as soon as possible. a distance of a few millimeters from the tracks;
• Envelope that can be stored, with a lifespan of more than 10 years, with regular recharging of the battery arranged inside the envelope, without any contact or wire.

It should be noted that the device according to the invention may comprise a device for destroying or neutralizing the content integrated in the envelope according to any known means, in particular by indelible ink jet, for example connected to the base and activated from it, or autonomous and automatically activated by the control means integrated in the flexible envelope 1, from the first opening attempt, according to a trigger threshold defined by a specific measurement of the capacitive effect, or piercing the envelope.

The flexible envelopes can have various dimensions, for example of a size A5 up to several square meters, which makes it possible to place inside an envelope of the electronic equipment which will react to the untimely opening or to the drilling of the envelope, setting itself off, so as to make their future use problematic, and in any case requiring the application of a patch to make them functional again. The security devices according to the invention will advantageously be reusable as explained above, in the context of normal use, insofar as the flexible envelopes have not been damaged, for example by cutting the fabric made from 'a common thread.

Claims (14)

1. Security device to monitor access to an object (4) comprising:

   - at least one flexible envelope (1) composed of a mesh (2) made from at least one flexible conductor wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sleeve, said flexible envelope being formed in the shape of a pocket defining a hollow portion (3) designed to contain said object, and at least one opening (5) through which said object is designed to pass so as to be accommodated in said hollow portion (3),

   - closing means (6) to close said opening (5) including at least a first (7) and a second (8) conductor track at least one of which is provided with at least one self-adhesive conducting layer, said first (7) and second (8) conductor tracks constituting the two electrodes, anode and cathode, of a capacitance, and being capable of adopting at least the following two distinct positions:

   - a first position, referred to as the active position, in which the first (7) and second (8) conductor tracks are in contact with one another via said self-adhesive conducting layer, thereby closing said opening (5),

   - a second position, referred to as the inactive position, in which the first (7) and second (8) conductor tracks are separated from one another, thereby releasing said opening (5),

   - control means (9, 10, 25), of which at least a part (9, 25) is integrated into said flexible envelope (1), monitoring at least the continuity of said conducting wire constituting said flexible envelope (1), and the change of position at least of said first (7) and second (8) conducting tracks, acting by a capacitive effect generated by the contact of the two tracks facing each other.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible envelope (1) additionally includes a first (11) flexible resistant layer applied on the inner surface of said mesh (2) and designed to come into contact with said object (4), and a second (12) flexible resistant layer applied on the outer surface of said mesh (2), said mesh being sandwiched between said first (11) and second (12) flexible resistant layers.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said flexible envelope (1) is formed in the shape of a pocket of which the mesh (2) is woven or knitted in one piece.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the mesh (2) constituting the flexible envelope (1) is made from at least two wires one of which is a flexible conducting wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sleeve, the other being a high strength flexible plastic wire.
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said closing means (6) of said opening (5) of the flexible envelope (1) includes:

   - a flap (13) designed to cover said opening (5),

   - at least a third (14) and a fourth (15) conducting tracks, at least one of which is provided with at least one self-adhesive conducting layer, one of which is disposed on the outer surface of said flexible envelope (1), the other on the inner surface of said flap (13) so that, when said flap is in a position overlapping the opening (5) and applied against the outer surface of the flexible envelope, said third (14) and fourth (15) conducting tracks are placed facing each other,

   - said first (7) and second (8) conducting tracks delineating said opening (5) and being disposed on the inner surface of the flexible envelope (1), so as to be placed facing each other in their active position or in their inactive position, corresponding respectively to a closed or open state of the envelope.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that said flap (13) is composed of a mesh made from at least one flexible conducting wire surrounded by a flexible insulating sleeve.
7. Device according to claims 3 and 5, characterised in that the mesh of the flap and the mesh of the flexible envelope are formed in the shape of a pocket, and are woven or knitted in a single piece.
8. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that said mesh (2) and said first (11) and second (12) flexible resistant layers are joined together by a bonding means.
9. Device according to claim 2 or 8, characterised in that said first (11) and second (12) flexible resistant layers include a layer of strong paper or plastic.
10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it additionally includes means of monitoring at least one of the following environments: temperature, pressure, X-rays, to which said flexible envelope (1) is subjected, including at least one of the following sensors: temperature sensor, pressure sensor, X-ray sensor, ultrasound sensor, integrated into the flexible envelope.
11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that said control means (9, 10, 25) monitoring the continuity of the conducting wire constituting said flexible envelope (1), the change of position of the conducting tracks (7, 8; 14, 15), and the environment of the flexible envelope as the case may be, include:

    - mobile dual-circuit RF communication means (transmitter/receiver) (9) integrated into said flexible envelope (1),

    - base RF communication means (transmitter/receiver) (10) placed at a distance from said flexible envelope (1) and designed to communicate with said RF communication means (transmitted/receiver) integrated into the flexible envelope (1),

    - a first circuit of said mobile RF communication means being designed to communicate with said base RF communication means (transmitter/receiver),

    - a second circuit of said mobile RF communication means being designed to recharge a thin power supply battery integrated into said flexible envelope,

    - an electronic card (25) to measure the continuity of the conducting wire constituting said flexible envelope (1), the change of position of the conducting tracks (7, 8; 14, 15), and as the case may be the environment of the flexible envelope (1), at least.
12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it includes means of dating and recording a discontinuity in the conducting wire constituting said flexible envelope (1), and at least a partial change of position of said conducting tracks, corresponding to a change of open/closed state of the envelope (1), or an attempt to change the open/closed state of the envelope.
13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said part of said control means integrated into the envelope (1) monitoring the continuity of the conducting wire constituting the flexible envelope, the change of position of the conducting tracks (7, 8, 14, 15) and of the environment of the envelope as the case may be, takes the form of a thin flexible electronic card (25) integrated into the flexible envelope.
14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that said electronic card (25) integrated into the flexible envelope (1) is assigned a unique serial number.

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