Method and apparatus for providing container security with a tag

An apparatus, comprising:

• first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;
• sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;
• and
• detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;
• wherein said detection structure includes a wireless transmitter, and transmits a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected;
• and
• including a portable unit which can receive said wireless signal and provide on the basis thereof a visual indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected.

An apparatus, comprising:

• first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;
• sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;
• and
• detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;
• wherein said detection structure includes a wireless transmitter, and transmits a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected;
• and
• wherein said detection structure has a predefined unique identifier, and includes said identifier in wireless signals transmitted by said sealing structure.

An apparatus, comprising:

• first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;
• sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;
• and
• detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;
• wherein said detection structure begins said sensing in response to a predetermined event which includes receipt by said detection structure of a predetermined wireless signal.

An apparatus, comprising:

• first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions;
• sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;
• and
• detection structure operable to sense a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure, and to detect a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;
• wherein said sealing structure includes an elongate part;
• wherein said detection structure includes first and second coils which encircle said elongate part at spaced locations therealong;
• and
• wherein said detection structure includes circuitry operable to cause said first coil to induce a magnetic field and to cause said second coil to sense said magnetic field.

A method of operating a self-contained unit which has a sealing structure, comprising the steps of:

• operating said sealing structure of said unit in a mode in which said sealing structure can limit relative movement of two parts away from a first position toward a second position;
• sensing with structure of said self-contained unit a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure;
• detecting with structure of said self-contained unit a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;
• and
• transmitting from said self-contained unit a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected.

A method, comprising the steps of:

• effecting a seal between first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions, including the provision of sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;
• sensing a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure;
• and
• detecting a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;
• including the step of transmitting a wireless signal containing an indication of whether said change in said magnetic flux characteristic has been detected;
• and
• including the step of providing within said wireless signals a unique identifier.

A method, comprising the steps of:

• effecting a seal between first and second parts movable relative to each other between first and second positions, including the provision of sealing structure cooperable with said first and second parts in said first position thereof in a manner limiting movement of said parts away from said first position;
• sensing a magnetic flux characteristic which is a function of said sealing structure;
• detecting a change in said magnetic flux characteristic which represents a disruption of said sealing structure;
• inducing said magnetic field in a first coil as a varying magnetic field;
• and
• effecting said sensing of said magnetic flux characteristic using a second coil;
• and
• effecting said detecting of a change in said magnetic flux characteristic as a function of a phase shift between the signals in said first and second coils.