Patent Application
20090235847
The present invention relates to an installation kit for equipping a case as a multifunctional, portable security system according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding case equipped as a multifunctional, portable security system according to the preamble of claim 10.
There are greatly varying security cases for transporting objects in need of protection, such as objects of value like coins and banknotes, securities, other valuables such as noble metals and precious stones, documents to be kept secret, or possibly also toxic materials, rare materials, or material to be shielded in another way, such as radioactive material.
The security cases have a strongbox area, a protection system, and an access opening, which may be closed and which makes the security case accessible in the open state.
The protection system is used for the purpose of protecting the owner or possessor of the valuables from a misuse of the valuables, if they are lost in the event of a theft. This is performed by automatically neutralizing or devaluing, in particular inking the valuables in such a case. The corresponding known protection systems are costly and complex.
As already noted, there are varying types of valuables to be transported. Depending on the type of the valuables, the cases must have different sizes. Moreover, greatly differing security guidelines may apply. Therefore, a large number of greatly varying cases are used in practice.
It is important for cases of this type that they correspond to the appropriate security guidelines, are portable, and above all are flexibly usable. Current cases only partially meet these criteria. In addition, the cases are currently relatively costly.
In addition, primary attention is still placed on the security and stability of the actual case.
It is the object of the present invention,
The present invention is to allow high flexibility in the handling ability and provide a security system which is cost-effective and which allows retrofitting or equipping of cases and similar formations of similar types of construction and manufacture and size.
This object is achieved according to the present invention
Preferred embodiments of the security system are defined by the dependent claims.
A novel path is followed according to the present invention, which allows high security to be offered at a reasonable price. One proceeds from conventional cases, as are offered in numerous shapes, sizes, and materials. Cases of this type may be equipped and/or retrofitted using an installation kit according to the present invention to form a multifunctional, portable security system. The installation kit ensures high security, which may be further increased by numerous optional measures. Due to the use of a typical case, which may also be used as a piece of luggage for normal traveling luggage, the security system is cost-effective and additional security is achieved, because it is not recognizable to an outsider that the case is a security system for transporting valuables and/or that valuables are located in the case.
The configuration of a distributor plate according to the present invention simplifies the production and makes repairs easier, because it makes mounting multiple individual partial lines for the liquid superfluous.
If valuables are located in a receptacle area, the means for their protection are armed and/or brought from an inactive, i.e., deactivated state into an armed or activated state. If the means for protecting the valuables are activated, in case of emergency, i.e., if the case or its contents are handled or actuated incorrectly, the neutralization or inking of the valuables is triggered, and the latter are neutralized or devalued by the liquid: this is to be understood to mean that the valuables are at least temporarily altered, damaged, or destroyed. This neutralization may also be performed in such a way that the valuables retain their value for the authorized possessor or owner or may obtain it again.
The installation kit comprises a receptacle area for receiving valuables. The receptacle area is accessible via an access opening, which may be covered using a cover and/or is closable depending on the embodiment. In addition, a protection system is provided which comprises protection means having an igniter, which may be triggered by applying an electrical signal. Furthermore, an ink module having a liquid for inking the valuables is provided. The ink module is connected via a pressure connection to the igniter and has an outlet area for discharging the liquid. A distributor plate is provided which is produced in one piece and has at least one integrated liquid channel as well as a number of outlet openings for the liquid. The distributor plate may be connected to the outlet area of the ink module. A pressurized gas cartridge, which is connected to the igniter, provides the required gas pressure after the igniter is triggered to convey liquid from the ink module into the liquid channel of the distributor plate and from there through the outlet openings of the distributor plate in the direction of the valuables, so that they are inked.
An advantageous configuration is obtained if the ink module forms an assembly with the distributor plate, the distributor plate being connectable pressure-tight to the outlet area of the ink module upon attachment to the ink module. The tightness is to be maintained over the largest temperature range possible.
It is favorable if the cover for covering the access opening is designed in such a way that it delays immediate access to the valuables in the receptacle area. In the event of unauthorized access without prior transfer of the security switch into the disarmed state, the neutralization and/or inking of the valuables may thus be triggered by the security circuit.
The protection system may comprise further protection means or security features which are situated either in the receptacle area or the case. Such protection means are used for the purpose of protecting the case against greatly varying types of attacks or in greatly varying situations.
The protection system comprises a security circuit which is connectable to the igniter and provides the electrical signal for triggering the igniter in an emergency situation, as well as a security interface, which allows the security circuit to be an armed or brought into a disarmed state as needed. In addition, the safety system may have a power source or a power store for supplying it with power.
In an especially preferred embodiment, the security system formed by the installation kit in the case and/or the protection system of the case is armed or disarmed by a Pocket PC or a computer via an interface. The protection system is advantageously capable via the security interface of establishing a further communication capability between the security circuit and an external device, preferably a portable computer.
The security circuit used for this purpose is preferably an electrical/electronic circuit. This security circuit is a part of the protection system.
The cited security interface may be designed to establish a contactless connection and comprises a transmitter and a receiver, this preferably being an infrared connection and this connection allowing encrypted communication. However, transmitters and receivers which operate using RF or other waves are also possible.
Furthermore, an interface may be provided to read an RFID chip or bar code, to only then allow release (opening). Such an RFID chip or bar code may be situated at the target location (for example, at a bank). Only after the RFID chip or the bar code is recognized by the security circuit is the security system released.
As an additional protective measure, the protection system may comprise means for surface protection, which may be inserted or installed in the case and enclose the receptacle area. These means may be electrically connectable to the security circuit to trigger the neutralization and/or inking of the valuables via the security circuit in the event of an attempt to damage or penetrate the case. Protective films, networks, lattices, or fabrics may be used as the means for surface protection to ensure protection against breaking open, cutting through, or drilling through.
The protection system may also comprise an impact sensor as an additional protective measure, which may be installed in the case. The impact sensor is electrically connectable to the security circuit and triggers the neutralization and/or inking of the valuables via the security circuit in the event of a predefined number or frequency of impacts and/or shocks.
To further increase the security, a movement sensor may be provided, which is deactivated in the event of manipulation or transport of the case by authorized persons.
Additional protection of the valuables may be achieved if a seal or lead seal of a mechanical or electronic nature is provided for the case or the receptacle area. Such a seal or lead seal is not primarily intended to prevent opening of the container, but rather to be able to establish unauthorized, but unforced opening, for example, by a person authorized to transport the case.
The protection system may be implemented so that an access to the receptacle area is possible with or without actuation of an additional auxiliary element, such as a (contactless) key.
A further security precaution may be achieved by additional modules, which generate smoke in the event of unauthorized manipulation of the security system. This has a signal effect and prevents a criminal from carrying away the case.
Still a further security precaution may comprise an airbag system being situated in or on the case. Such an airbag system must be conceived in such a way that it is activated or activatable in the event of unauthorized handling of the security system. Unauthorized manipulations of the security system are made more difficult by the volume increase occurring upon actuation of the airbag system and a criminal is possibly prevented from carrying away the case.
The novel case is used, as already noted, as a multifunctional, portable security system together with the novel kit.
The case is preferably implemented in such a way that its external cover part and its external floor part protect the receptacle area in the interior against moisture and mechanical damage and preferably also against high temperatures in the closed state.
The case is preferably a conventional, sufficiently rigid case, such as a hardshell case, which is preferably manufactured from a plastic material.
The case may comprise all protective measures which have been explained above with reference to the novel installation kit.
In particular, the case may establish a communication connection between the security circuit and an external device, preferably a portable computer, via the security interface.
Further features and details of the present invention are explained in greater detail in the following on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing.
Fundamentally identical or identically acting constructive elements are provided with identical reference numerals in the figures, even if they partially differ from one another. Specifications such as top, bottom, right, left, front, and rear relate to the position of the elements thus identified in the particular figures.
The case 11 has an external floor part 11.1 and an external cover part 11.2, which are connected pivotably to one another. A handle and two snap closures or snap locks are indicated on the front of the case 11. A receptacle area located in the case 11 is indicated in
The receptacle area may be secured by one or more security means. According to the present invention, an igniter 14 having a diaphragm is provided, which may be triggered by the application of an electrical signal, as shown in
The term ink module is also to be understood as a module having a liquid other than ink or having another free-flowing medium, accordingly, the term a liquid is also to be understood as another free-flowing medium, and the term inking of the valuables 13 is also to be understood as another change which may be caused by a free-flowing medium, such as etching. Multiple ink modules may also be provided, in particular, multiple ink modules may be implemented and situated in such a way that liquid may be discharged onto the valuables 13 from multiple directions.
The ink module 17 has a connection for producing a pressurized connection to the igniter 14 and an outlet area for discharging the liquid. The distributor plate 18 has at least one integrated liquid channel and a number of outlet openings for the liquid. The distributor plate 18 is produced in one piece and is connectable to the outlet area of a module 17. The module 17 forms an assembly with the distributor plate 18, the distributor plate 18 being connectable pressure-tight to the outlet area of the ink module 17 upon being fastened to the ink module 17.
A pressurized gas cartridge 15 is connected to the igniter 14 in such a way that the igniter 14 is triggered upon application of the electrical signal and penetrates the diaphragm of the igniter 14. Gas is thus discharged from the pressurized gas cartridge 15 and conducted via the pressurized connection into the ink module 17. Under this pressure, the liquid goes from the ink module into the liquid channel of the distributor plate 18 and in the direction of the valuables 13 through the outlet openings of the distributor plate 18. The inking of the valuables 13 is illustrated by arrows 19 in
The detail shown enlarged in the style of a loupe in relation to
Distributor plates in other constructions are also conceivable. It is essential that the liquid channel 18.1, which may also have multiple liquid channels connected in parallel if necessary, may only be filled via the connection system 18.3 and may only be emptied via the outlet openings 18.4. Distributor plates may be produced from various materials, in particular from light metal or suitable plastics.
The valuables are frequently packaged in a sack (sealed bag). The sacks have a closure which allows the sack to be closed after being filled with valuables. After being closed, such a sack may no longer be opened without leaving traces. The receiver of the sack may thus establish whether the sack has been opened. In order that neutralization of the valuables also functions when they are located in a sack, according to the present invention, a special fuse is provided, which develops heat after being ignited and melts the sack. The valuables may thus be reached by the ink even when they are located in a sack. The present invention offers the advantage that the required fuse may be inserted in the distributor plate 18 or fastened thereto. A corresponding embodiment is indicated in
In a further embodiment, the case 10 may be fastened in a rack. For this purpose, the rack may be equipped with an interlocking function. As soon as the case 10 is connected to the rack via the interlocking function, a circuit on the rack assumes at least a part of the security functions and/or the monitoring of the security functions. Removal from the rack may be performed via a PDA having a suitable interface, for example.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH 00243/05 | Feb 2005 | CH | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP06/50742 | 2/8/2006 | WO | 00 | 5/21/2009 |
