EP4091157A1

EP4091157A1 - Method for outputting a condition of at least one seal, seal and system

Info

Publication number: EP4091157A1
Application number: EP20701308.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: René TOTH; Mario STOFFEL
Original assignee: Stoba AG
Current assignee: Stoba AG
Priority date: 2020-01-17
Filing date: 2020-01-17
Publication date: 2022-11-23
Also published as: WO2021144035A1

Abstract

A seal (10) comprises a closing element (14,16',16'',17), a security element (20) and a display unit (24). The security element (20) is designed to generate a code (22) relating to a condition of the seal (10) and to display said code (22) on the display unit (24).

Description

Method for outputting a status of at least one seal, seal and system The present invention relates to a method for

Outputting a status of at least one seal, a seal and a system for outputting a status of at least one seal. Seals are used to seal containers such as

To close, seal or secure containers, cassettes, trolleys or the like, for example before they are transported away, so that, for example, on or after arrival at their destination, manipulation can be excluded or at least easily recognized. Currently known seals are used to make a manipulation that has taken place reliably recognizable. Known seals can contain a lead seal, a security label or any other security element. Seals can also include carriers serving the same purpose, which are or can be connected to a product and which allow a control function comparable to a seal. Seals can be issued by the publisher to customers or users, for example in the form of a batch. There is a problem that unsealed or unused seals can be removed from a customer's batch in an unauthorized manner and possibly stored in order to then to be set instead of regularly set seals, which may have previously been broken or opened in an unauthorized manner. Another problem is that the publisher and / or customer can quickly lose track of how many seals are in circulation or how many seals have been set or are in use. It can therefore happen that the customer is unprepared and exposed to the problem of no longer having a supply of seals. Another problem is that seals have to be disposed of after they have been used, which creates large amounts of plastic waste.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for outputting a status of at least one seal, a seal and a system for outputting a status of at least one seal which do not have the disadvantages mentioned above.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Advantageous design variants and a seal which can be used in such a method and a system for outputting a status of at least one seal are specified in further claims.

The method according to the invention for outputting at least one state of at least one seal comprises: in a security element of the seal, generating an identifier in connection with a state of the seal, and outputting the identifier; Reading of the issued identifier through a terminal; in the terminal, generating identification data in connection with the identification that has been read out; Transmitting the identification data from the terminal to a remote data processing unit; in the remote data processing unit, processing the identification data in such a way that status information about the status of the seal is generated; and outputting the status information to at least one further processing unit.

Thus, a method is created by which a set seal can be reliably verified. For example, the scanned identifier can be compared with identifiers stored in the data processing unit. In a further example, the scanned identifier can be subjected to an operation in the data processing unit, by means of which it is determined whether the identifier is correct or whether it was issued by the publisher. The identifier is not statically printed or applied to the seal, but is displayed on the display unit. The identifier can be displayed in a changeable manner. This possibility of changing the identifier can make manipulation much more difficult. The data processing unit can be associated with the publisher. Alternatively or additionally, the data processing unit can be associated with the customer.

In one embodiment, the security element is designed to detect an unused or used state of the seal. One advantage of this embodiment is the reliable determination of current set or used seals. This status can be sent to the data processing unit via the terminal essentially at the same time as a seal is set. A further processing unit of the publisher which is in communication with this can, for example, always compare a batch stored in a database of the further processing unit to the seals issued for each customer. As soon as the status is reported that a seal has currently been set or is being used, this seal can be deducted from the stock of the issued batch that was originally delivered to the customer.

In one embodiment, the identifier is displayed via a display unit attached to the seal. The identifier can thus be reliably photographed or photographed by the display unit. The scanned identifier can contain an allocation number of the seal. Thus it is not only possible to determine how many seals are still in stock at the respective customer, but also exactly which seal or seals are still available. Conversely, it is of course also possible to determine which of the respective seals are currently in use. Thus, the publisher may be able to prepare and send new seals in good time as soon as it can be seen that the inventory of seals per customer has fallen below a predetermined number. The publisher can of course also provide the customer with information about the number of seals used or still available be made accessible. The information can be exchanged, for example, via appropriate communication units on the part of the publisher and customer, for example via the Internet, via a data server (cloud), etc. Thus, both the publisher and the customer know how many seals are left per batch. For example, both the publisher and the customer can be aware that the customer may be about to place a new order for seals.

In one embodiment, the identifier is an optically scannable identifier, in particular a barcode or a 2D code. The barcode or 2D code can be generated in a standardized manner and carry information about whether the seal has been set or not. In addition, the code can contain information about the seal used, e.g. an identification number. Of course, the code can carry any further information in connection with the seal, e.g. time, place and person in connection with the setting of the seal. The code can be generated using a proprietary process, which can make manipulation by third parties more difficult.

In one embodiment, the terminal includes an image recording device. In a further embodiment, the terminal contains a wireless transmission unit. In one embodiment, the terminal is a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone. For example, a program issued by the publisher, for example an app, can be stored in the smartphone, with the program having access to the camera of the smartphone can have. The app can also be designed to convert and / or transmit the optical identifier into identifier data.

In one embodiment, the identifier is generated as a function of a sealed or unsealed state of the seal. The sealed state of the seal can thus be recorded in a tamper-proof manner and this information can be transmitted to the publisher. Although not listed in detail, other states of the seal can be indicated via the identifier.

In one embodiment, the publisher's further processing unit is designed to verify the seal based on the status information. In a further embodiment, the further processing unit of the publisher is designed to determine a number of sealed and / or unsealed seals from at least one set of seals based on the status information. This method can make it possible for the customer to receive new seals in good time if it turns out that the supply of seals falls below a predetermined number.

In one embodiment, the set of seals contains a batch of seals which can be assigned to a customer. In one embodiment, the step of reading out the displayed identifier further includes the step of acquiring geolocation data of the respective location, acquiring login data, and / or acquiring time data. In a In another embodiment, the geolocation data are transmitted together with the identification data from the terminal to the remote data processing unit. The geolocation enables the publisher and / or customer to record at which place and, for example, at what time the seal was set. It is also possible to use login data, for example, to record which person has set the seal.

In one embodiment, the status information is at least partially transmitted to a processing unit of the customer. With this method, the customer can possibly also access information about the condition, number, etc. of his respective seals independently of the publisher.

According to the invention, a seal comprises a closure element, a security element and a display unit, the security element being designed to generate an identifier in connection with a state of the seal and to display the identifier on the display unit.

The seal according to the invention can be reliably verified on the basis of the displayed identifier by photographing the identifier. Since the identifier is not statically printed on the seal, but can be displayed variably via the display unit, manipulation is made more difficult. For example, the identifier can be compared with identifiers stored in a data processing unit. In another example, the detected identifier are subjected to an operation in the data processing unit, by which it is determined whether the identifier is correct or was issued by the publisher. Any known or future code verification processes can be used. It can also be identified promptly whether or not the seal has been set or used.

In one embodiment, the security element is designed to generate the identifier as a function of at least one: the state of the seal and an identification of the seal. For example, the identifier can contain information about whether the seal is in use or not. The information can also carry an identification number of the seal and a variable code which can be used for verification.

In one embodiment, the seal comprises at least one of a seal and a security label. Any known or future types of security element can be used as a seal.

According to the invention, a system for outputting at least one state of at least one seal comprises: at least one seal comprising a closure element, a security element and a display unit, the security element being designed to generate an identifier in connection with a state of the seal and the identifier on the Display unit display; on Terminal which is designed to read out the outputted identifier, to generate identifier data in connection with the readout identifier, and to transmit the identifier data; a remote data processing unit which is designed to receive the identification data, to process the identification data in such a way that status information about the status of the seal is generated, and to output the status information to at least one further processing unit.

A detected status of a seal is sent via the terminal to the data processing unit, and a further processing unit of the publisher in communication with this can currently compare a batch of seals issued per customer in a database. As soon as, for example, the status is reported that a seal is currently set or used, this seal can be deducted from the inventory of the batch issued. The detected identifier can contain an allocation number of the seal, so that it is possible to determine exactly which seals are still available or not set and which of the respective seals are currently in use or are set. This means that new seals can be prepared and sent in good time.

It is expressly pointed out that the above design variants can be combined as required. Only those combinations of design variants are excluded that would lead to contradictions through the combination. In the following, the present invention is explained further with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. Show:

1 shows a schematic view of a seal according to the present invention in an unset state, and FIG

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the seal from FIG.

1 in a set state, photographed by a terminal.

1 shows schematically a seal 10 according to the present invention in an unset or unsealed state, while FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the seal from FIG. 1 in a set or sealed state. The seal 10 is shown or embodied as a seal 10 in the examples shown. Although not shown, the seal 10 can also be embodied as another security element, for example as a security label, etc.

The seal 10 contains a seal body 12 and a cable 14, for example a plastic strip, which is firmly connected at one end to the seal body 12 and is provided with latching elements 16 'at the other end. The cable 14 can be severable and can contain, for example, a plastic material. The latching elements 16 'at the end of the cable 14 can be correspondingly shaped in a bushing 17 Latching elements 16 ″ are engaged (see FIG. 2). The leadthrough 17 can be firmly attached to the seal body 12, for example it can be cast in one piece with it. In this state, the seal 10 is set or in use and fulfills its purpose for sealing. The arrangement of cable 14, latching elements 16 ′, 16 ″ and passage 17 can also be defined as a closure element.

The seal body 12 can contain a detection device 18 which detects the current state of the seal 10, i.e. whether the seal 10 is in an unset state (see FIG. 1) or in a set state (see FIG. 2). The detection device 18 communicates the respective state of the seal 10 to a security element 20 which is also included in the seal body 12.

The security element 20 is adapted to generate an identifier 22 in connection with the state of the seal 10. This identifier 22 can be communicated to a display unit 24 which displays the identifier 22 in an externally visible manner. This identifier 22 can be a 2-dimensional code (2D code). The identifier 22 can be any other optically scannable identifier, for example a barcode, etc. As can be seen in the comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the display unit 24 shows different identifiers 22 in connection with the set and unset state of the seal 10 . After the seal 10 has been set (see FIG. 2), the identifier 22 displayed or output via the display unit 24 can be read out by a terminal device 26. In one example the identifier 22 can be photographed or photographed by a mobile phone, for example a smartphone 26, of a customer, employee, etc., as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the identifier 22 can be displayed on a display of the smartphone 26. In the terminal device 26, identification data 28 can be generated in connection with the identification 22 that has been read out. For example, freely available or proprietary software (app) that is issued by an issuer H of the seal 10 can be used for this purpose.

These identification data 28 can be transmitted directly or indirectly from the terminal 26 to a remote data processing unit 30 of the publisher H. For example, the identification data 28 can be stored in an accessible data server 32, also referred to as a cloud. In the remote data processing unit 30, the identification data 28 can be processed, for example, in such a way that the

Status information about the status of the seal is generated and output. This status information can be output to at least one further processing unit 34 ′, 34 ″ of the publisher H. In the case of an intermediate data server 32, the identification data 28 in the data server 32 can alternatively or additionally be accessed by means of a processing unit 36 of the customer K.

The further processing unit 34 ′, 34 ″ of the publisher H is designed, for example, to precisely verify a respective seal 10 based on the status information. For example, a number of sealed and / or unsealed seals are determined from at least one set of seals based on the status information, this set of seals corresponding to a batch of seals that can be assigned to a customer, for example an assignable delivery.

In one example, in addition to the above-mentioned reading out of the displayed identifier 22, geolocation data of the respective location can also be recorded. Geolocation will make it possible to record exactly where and possibly also at what time the seal was scanned or scanned. The geolocation data can be generated by the smartphone 26, for example by means of GPS, and transmitted together with the identification data 28 from the smartphone 26 to the remote data processing unit 30 or the data server 32. In addition, login data can be generated which give an indication of which person has photographed the seal. Time data can also be generated, which give a precise indication of the point in time at which the seal was scanned. The login data and / or time data can be transmitted together with the identification data 28 to the remote data processing unit 30 or the data server 32. Another advantage of the invention is that, in contrast to conventional seals, which have to be disposed of after a single use, the seal 10 according to the invention can be used several times. This greatly reduces plastic waste and saves resources. Overall, costs can thus be saved.

Claims

A method for outputting at least one state of at least one seal (10), comprising:

- In a security element (20) of the seal (10), generating an identifier (22) in connection with a state of the seal (10), and outputting the identifier (22);

- Reading out the output identifier (22) by a terminal (26);

- In the terminal (26), generating identification data (28) in connection with the identification (22) that has been read out;

- Transmission of the identification data (28) from the terminal (26) to a remote data processing unit (30);

- In the remote data processing unit (30), processing the identification data (28) in such a way that status information about the status of the seal (10) is generated;

- Output of the status information to at least one further processing unit (34 ', 34' ')

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the security element (20) is designed to detect an unused or used state of the seal (10).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identifier (22) is displayed by a display unit (24) attached to the seal (10).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identifier (22) is an optically scannable identifier, in particular a barcode or a 2D code.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal (26) contains an image recording device.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal (26) contains a wireless transmission unit.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal (26) is a mobile phone, in particular a

Smartphone (26).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identifier (22) is generated as a function of a sealed or unsealed state of the seal (10).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further processing unit (34 ', 34' ') of the publisher (H) is designed to verify the seal (10) based on the status information.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further processing unit (34 ', 34'') of the publisher (H) is designed to assign a number of sealed and / or unsealed seals from at least one set of seals based on the status information (28) determine.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of seals contains a batch of seals which can be assigned to a customer.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of reading the displayed identifier (22) further comprises the step of detecting

Contains geolocation data of the respective location, acquisition of login data, and / or acquisition of time data.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the

Geolocation data are transmitted together with the identification data (28) from the terminal (26) to the remote data processing unit (30).

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the status information is at least partially transmitted to a processing unit (36) of the customer (K).

15. Seal (10) comprising a closure element

(14, 16 ', 16' ', 17), a security element (20) and a display unit (24), the security element (20) being designed to assign an identifier (22) in connection with a state of the seal (10) generate and display the identifier (22) on the display unit (24).

16. Seal (10) according to claim 15, wherein the security element (20) is designed to generate the identifier (22) as a function of at least one: the state of the seal (10) and an identification of the seal.

17. Seal (10) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the seal (10) comprises at least one of a seal (10) and a security label.

18. A system for outputting at least one state of at least one seal (10), the system comprising:

- At least one seal (10), comprising a closure element (14, 16 ', 16' ', 17), a security element (20) and a display unit (24), the security element (20) being designed, an identifier (22) to generate in connection with a state of the seal (10) and to display the identifier (22) on the display unit (24), - a terminal (26) which is designed to read the output identifier (22), identifier data (28) in To generate connection with the read-out identifier (22) and to transmit the identifier data (28), - a remote data processing unit (30) which is designed to receive the identifier data (28), to process the identifier data (28) in such a way that status information about the status of the seal (10) is generated, and the status information is output to at least one further processing unit (34 ', 34 ").