Anti-theft method for detecting the unauthorized opening of containers and baggage

For a container having an aperture which is selectably closed and opened by moving first and second external walls together and apart, respectively, an improved security device for detecting whether the aperture is opened, comprising:

• (a) an elongated electrical conductor having first and second ends, the conductor extending between the two container walls and being attached to both walls so that the two walls cannot be moved apart a substantial amount to open the aperture without breaking the conductor;
• and
• (b) an RFID transceiver, connected to the two ends of the conductor, including an electrical circuit for detecting when electrical continuity between the two ends of the conductor is broken and subsequently transmitting an alarm signal, wherein the RFID transceiver is embedded within a wall of the container, and wherein the RFID transceiver includes a replaceable battery which is mounted so as to be accessible only from the interior of the container.

For a suitcase bounded by first and second opposing, concave side members attached together by a hinge mounted on one end of each side member, the suitcase having an aperture which is selectably closed and opened by moving said first and second side members together and apart, respectively, an improved security device for detecting whether the aperture is opened, comprising:

• (a) an elongated electrical conductor having first and second ends, the conductor extending between the two side members and being attached to the two side members so that the two side members cannot be moved apart a substantial amount to open the aperture without breaking the conductor, the elongated conductor being attached to the first and second side members so as to extend between them at an end of each side member opposite the end on which the hinge is mounted;
• and
• (b) an RFID transceiver, connected to the two ends of the conductor, including an electrical circuit for detecting when electrical continuity between the two ends of the conductor is broken and subsequently transmitting an alarm signal.

For a suitcase having a handle on having an aperture which is selectably closed and opened by moving first and second external walls of the suitcase together and apart, respectively, an improved security device for detecting whether the aperture is opened, comprising:

• (a) an elongated electrical conductor having first and second ends, the conductor extending between the two walls and being attached to the two walls so that the two walls cannot be moved apart a substantial amount to open the aperture without breaking the conductor;
• and
• (b) an RFID transceiver, connected to the two ends of the conductor, including an electrical circuit for detecting when electrical continuity between the two ends of the conductor is broken and subsequently transmitting an alarm signal, wherein the RFID transceiver is mounted on a strap encircling and attached to the handle.

For a doorway apparatus having an aperture which is selectably closed and opened by moving a door and a door frame together and apart, respectively, an improved security device for detecting whether the aperture is opened, comprising:

• (a) an elongated electrical conductor having first and second ends, the conductor extending between the door and the door frame and being attached to both the door and the frame so that the door and the frame cannot be moved apart a substantial amount to open the aperture without breaking the conductor;
• and
• (b) an RFID transceiver, connected to the two ends of the conductor, including an electrical circuit for detecting when electrical continuity between the two ends of the conductor is broken and subsequently transmitting an alarm signal.

For a container apparatus having an aperture which is selectably closed and opened by moving first and second external walls of the container together and apart, respectively, an improved security device for detecting whether the aperture is opened, comprising:

• (a) an electrical device, mounted on the apparatus adjacent the aperture, for detecting whether the aperture is open or closed;
• and
• (b) an RFID transceiver, embedded within a wall of the container, which transmits an alarm signal after said device detects the aperture has been opened, wherein the RFID transceiver includes a replaceable battery which is mounted so as to be accessible only from the interior of the container.

For a suitcase having a handle and having an aperture which is selectably closed and opened by moving first and second external walls of the suitcase together and apart, respectively, an improved security device for detecting whether the aperture is opened, comprising:

• (a) an electrical device mounted on the suitcase adjacent the aperture, for detecting whether the aperture is open or closed;
• and
• (b) an RFID transceiver mounted on a strap encircling and attached to the handle which transmits an alarm signal after said device detects the aperture has been opened.

For a doorway apparatus having an aperture which is selectably closed and opened by moving a door and a door frame together and apart, respectively, an improved security device for detecting whether the aperture is opened, comprising:

• (a) an electrical device, mounted on the doorway apparatus adjacent the aperture, for detecting whether the aperture is open or closed;
• and
• (b) an RFID transceiver which transmits an alarm signal after said device detects the aperture has been opened.