NZ615339A

NZ615339A - Improvements in, or relating to, tamper evident systems

Info

Publication number: NZ615339A
Application number: NZ61533912A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Mark Rosny; Mark Ross England
Original assignee: Direct Payment Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2012-08-15
Filing date: 2012-08-15
Publication date: 2014-12-24

Abstract

Disclosed is a tamper detection element (9) adapted at least in part to be located against a first member to detect tampering therewith. The element (9) has a resilient deformable member (3) in a rigid housing able to deform because of the tampering and undergo tamper induced deformation. A contact sensing member (5) contained within the rigid housing is disposed towards the resilient deformable member. A first electrically conductive portion (4) sits adjacent or on the resilient deformable member (3) and a second electrically conductive portion resides on the contact sensing member (5). An electrical relationship can be formed between the first (4) and second electrically conductive portions, and the tamper induced deformation results in a change of impedance of the electrical relationship, the change therefore indicative of the tampering.

Claims

CLAIM IS

1. A tamper detection element adapted at least in part to locate against a first member to detect tampering therewith, comprising or including: 5 a resilient deformable member able to deform because of said tampering (“tamper induced deformation”), a rigid housing to locate and substantially contain said resilient deformable member to said first member; a contact sensing member disposed towards said resilient deformable 10 member and substantially contained in said rigid housing; a first electrically conductive portion adjacent or on said resilient deformable member, and a second electrically conductive portion on said contact sensing member, wherein an electrical relationship can be formed between said first and second 15 electrically conductive portions, and said tamper induced deformation results in a change of impedance of said electrical relationship, said change therefore indicative of said tampering.

2. An element as claimed in claim 1 wherein in use the resilient deformable member 20 is held in compression.

3. An element as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the resilient deformable member can be removed from and reinserted into the tamper detection element.

4. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said second electrically conductive portion is disposed towards said first electrically conductive portion.

5. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a third electrically 30 conductive portion on said contact sensing member and said impedance is measured between said second and third electrically conductive portions.

6. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said element is located between said first member and a second member to detect tampering as a relative 35 movement therebetween.

7. An element as claimed in claim 6 wherein said deformation occurs due to said 303694476 509033NZPR relative movement of said first member and said second member.

8. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said resilient deformable member extends at least in part beyond said rigid housing.

9. An element as claimed in claim 8 wherein tampering with said rigid housing also results in said deformation.

10. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, when dependent on claim 5, 10 wherein said impedance changes due to change in either or both a contact area, or a pressure, between said first electrically conductive portion, and either or both of said second and said third electrically conductive portions.

11. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said resilient 15 deformable member is an endless member.

12. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said element can locate about a body of a fastener extending from said first member, said body passing substantially through a middle of said element.

13. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, when dependent on claim 6, which is adapted to be held in place against said first member by said second member which is engaged with said first member. 25

14. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said resilient deformable member is made from a resilient deformable material such as, but not limited to, any one or more of an elastomer, or a rubber.

15. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said contact sensing 30 member is substantially formed from a printed wire board.

16. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein an electrical connection may be made from said element to a voltage or current supply to measure said impedance and/or said variation thereof.

17. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein an impedance measurement device is externally connected to said element. 303694476 509033NZPR

18. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said impedance is made up of any one or more of a resistance, capacitance or inductance. 5

19. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the said first electrically conductive portion and said second electrically conductive portion are substantially planar, at least where they are adapted to locate between said first member and said second member. 10

20. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein said resilient deformable member is arranged to lie substantially co-extensive with said contact sensing member.

21. An element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein an active region of 15 said element to locate between said first member and said second member is substantially shaped to conform to and be co-extensive with a surface or surfaces of said first member and or said second member that it locates between.

22. A method of detecting tampering with a first member, comprising or including 20 the steps of: providing a resilient deformable member able to deform because of said tampering (“tamper induced deformation”) with said first member; providing a rigid housing to locate and substantially contain said resilient deformable member to said first member; 25 providing a contact sensing member substantially contained in said rigid housing and disposed towards said resilient deformable member; providing a first electrically conductive portion adjacent or on said resilient deformable member, and providing a second electrically conductive portion on said contact sensing 30 member connecting either or both said resilient deformable member and/or said contact sensing member to said first member, forming an electrical relationship between said first and second electrically conductive portions; 35 wherein said tamper induced deformation results in a change of impedance of said electrical relationship; measuring said change; and 303694476 509033NZPR deciding whether a tamper event has occurred or not.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the resilient deformable member is, in use, held in compression by said first member.

24. A method as claimed in either one of claims 22 or 23 further comprising the step of removing and reinserting the resilient deformable member in the tamper detection element. 10

25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein said decision of whether a tamper event has occurred includes the step of determining whether said change meets or exceeds a threshold.

26. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein said method 15 comprises the step of measuring a base reading of said impedance.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein said method comprises periodically measuring said base reading of said impedance. 20

28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 27 wherein said method comprises triggering an alert if said tamper event is detected.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 wherein said alert is triggered proximal said connection to said first member or part thereof, or remote thereto.

30. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 29 comprising monitoring a plurality of said tamper detecting elements connected throughout a piece of equipment, to detect tampering with said equipment. 30

31. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 30 wherein said resilient deformable member extends at least in part beyond said rigid housing.

32. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 31 wherein tampering with said rigid housing results in said deformation.

33. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 32 wherein said method includes the step of monitoring said impedance to detect a tamper event. 303694476 509033NZPR

34. Equipment including one or more tamper detecting elements to detect a tampering with at least a first member of said equipment, said tamper detecting elements comprising; 5 a resilient deformable member able to deform because of said tampering (“tamper induced deformation”); a rigid housing to locate and substantially contain said resilient deformable member to said first member; a contact sensing member disposed towards said resilient deformable 10 member and substantially contained in said rigid housing; a first electrically conductive portion adjacent or on said resilient deformable member, and a second electrically conductive portion on said contact sensing member wherein an electrical relationship can be formed between said first and 15 second electrically conductive portions, and said tamper induced deformation results in a change of impedance of said electrical relationship, said change therefore indicating said tampering.

35. Equipment as claimed in claim 34 wherein there is a plurality of said elements to 20 detect tampering with said equipment.

36. Equipment as claimed in either of claims 34 or 35 wherein detection of whether a tamper event has occurred includes determining whether said change meets or exceeds a threshold.

37. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 36 wherein a base reading of said impedance is made.

38. Equipment as claimed in claim 37 wherein said base reading of said impedance is 30 measured.

39. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 38 wherein an alert is triggered if said tamper event is detected. 35

40. Equipment as claimed in claim 39 wherein said alert is triggered proximal said connection to said first member, or remote thereto.