APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING THE MANIPULATION OF A TRANSPORTABLE OBJECT

Abstract

The problem addressed by the disclosure is that of specifying an inexpensive, easily operable and largely automatable and reusable apparatus and a corresponding method for monitoring the manipulation of a transportable object. For example, the disclosure can be used to monitor the actuation of an opening flap of a transportation box without a current. For this purpose, the apparatus has the following: a magnetic data memory for storing an item of control information; a permanent magnet for destroying this control information; a mechanism for destroying the control information in the magnetic data memory by means of the permanent magnet; a data interface; a data connection between the magnetic data memory and the data interface for interchanging data between the magnetic memory and the data interface in a bidirectional manner.

Claims

1: A device for monitoring the manipulation of a transportable object, wherein the device comprises the following base elements: a magnetic data memory for storing an item of checking information; a permanent magnet for destroying the item of checking information; a mechanism for carrying out the destruction of the item of checking information of the magnetic data memory by the permanent magnet; a data interface; a data connection between the magnetic data memory and the data interface for the bidirectional data exchange between the magnetic memory and the data interface.

2: The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic data memory is embodied in MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory) technology.

3: The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises at least one part, on which the permanent magnet is arranged and/or which mechanically interacts indirectly or directly with the permanent magnet and therefore the mechanism is capable of reducing the geometrical distance between the permanent magnet and the magnetic data memory, to thus destroy the item of checking information stored in the magnetic data memory.

4: The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said part is an actuator, and wherein the device furthermore has a housing, in which or on which the base elements of the device are arranged, wherein the actuator is held so that it is movable in and/or on the housing.

5: The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuator protrudes at least partially out of the housing for actuation and/or is actuable through a window of the housing.

6: The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mechanism furthermore has a spring element, the spring force of which counteracts an actuation of the actuator.

7: The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mechanism furthermore has a locking element and a bracket, wherein the bracket has a curved region at a first end and a locking region at the other end, which is capable of interacting with the locking element for locking.

8: The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking region of the bracket is formed by a toothed rack, which is distinguished in that it has teeth, which are spaced apart from one another by intermediate spaces, and in that the locking element has one or more counter teeth, which are capable of engaging in the intermediate spaces of the teeth of the toothed rack for locking.

9: The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the actuator and the locking element are either jointly embodied in one piece, or mechanically locking and/or unlocking.

10: The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises, as a further element, a second data memory for separately storing the item of checking information, wherein the content of the magnetic data memory can be separately destroyed by the permanent magnet and the content of the second data memory can be maintained unchanged simultaneously.

11: The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and the second data memory each have a password protection.

12: The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises an RFID transponder or at least one RFID chip and an associated antenna.

13: A system, comprising a device as claimed in claim 1, and furthermore comprising the transportable object to be monitored, wherein the transportable object has a manipulation-significant part.

14: The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the object to be monitored is a transportation container and the manipulation-significant part is a closure, a cover, a door, a flap, or a lock, for opening the transportation container to be monitored for manipulation.

15: The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the system furthermore comprises a separate monitoring unit, which has a reader and comparator for reading and comparing the content of the magnetic data memory and the second data memory and furthermore has an outputter for outputting an alarm display and/or an alarm message and/or an alarm signal, which are used to indicate a deviation of the content of the magnetic data memory from the content of the second data memory.

16: The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the reader comprises an RFID reader.

17: A method for monitoring the manipulation of a transportable object comprising the following steps: a) ensuring a geometrical distance sufficiently large for data storage in a magnetic data memory of the magnetic data memory from a permanent magnet; b) transmitting and writing an item of checking information from a monitoring unit into the magnetic data memory; c) transmitting and writing the item of checking information in a second data memory; d) transporting the object to a predefined intended location; e) reading out, transmitting, and comparing the content of the magnetic data memory to the content of the second data memory.

18: The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein method step d.) is supplemented by the following method step: d2.) destroying the item of control information by reducing the distance between the permanent magnet and the magnetic data memory by using a mechanism, and wherein the method is supplemented after step e.) by the following step: f1.) If a difference is established in step e.) between the content of the magnetic data memory and the content of the second data memory, an item of information is output which states that a manipulation exists.

19: The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the method is supplemented after step e.) by the following step: f2.) If a correspondence is established in step e.) of the content of the magnetic data memory to the content of the second data memory, an item of information is output which states that no manipulation exists.

20: The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the item of checking information and/or in the second data memory takes place in an encrypted and/or password-protected manner.

21: The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the data transmission and read procedures in method steps b.), c.), and e.) take place wirelessly.

22: The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein for the wireless transmission of the data, an RFID reader communicates wirelessly with an RFID transponder, wherein the RFID transponder transmits data to the magnetic data memory and/or receives it therefrom via a data line.

23: An integrated component for carrying out a method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the component comprises the following: the magnetic data memory for storing the item of checking information; the second data memory for retaining the item of checking information; a data interface for transmitting the item of checking information.

24: The integrated component as claimed in claim 23, wherein the data interface is embodied as an RFID chip.

25: The integrated component as claimed in claim 23, wherein the magnetic data memory is embodied in MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory) technology.

26: The integrated component as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second data memory is an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, an F-RAM, or an S-RAM.

27: The integrated component as claimed in claim 23, to wherein the integrated component additionally has a microprocessor.

28: The integrated component as claimed in claim 23, wherein the integrated component is embodied as an integrated circuit.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0078] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in greater detail hereafter. In the figures:

[0079] FIGS. 1a, b show a device comprising a magnetic data memory, a permanent magnet, and an actuator in an actuated and in a non-actuated state;

[0080] FIGS. 2a, b show the actuated and non-actuated device comprising an additional second data memory;

[0081] FIGS. 3a-c show an associated data interface in various embodiments;

[0082] FIG. 3d shows an integrated component, comprising the data interface and the magnetic data memory;

[0083] FIG. 3e shows the integrated component, additionally comprising the second data memory;

[0084] FIGS. 4a, b show the device comprising the integrated component in an actuated and a non-actuated state;

[0085] FIGS. 4c, d show an open and closed transportation box comprising a device arranged therein in a non-actuated and an actuated state;

[0086] FIGS. 4e, f show a closed transportation box comprising a particularly sabotage-resistant device;

[0087] FIGS. 4g-m show a padlock-type device;

[0088] FIGS. 4n, o show an associated actuator;

[0089] FIG. 4p shows a transportation box comprising a closure and the padlock-type device;

[0090] FIG. 5a shows a first data exchange between a monitoring unit and the device;

[0091] FIG. 5b shows the device in a non-actuated state;

[0092] FIG. 5c shows a data transmission from the device, which has been put into a non-actuated state in the meantime, to a further monitoring unit;

[0093] FIG. 6 shows an analysis of the transmitted data by the further monitoring unit.

[0094] The figures partially contain simplified, schematic illustrations. Identical reference signs are partially used for equivalent, but possibly not identical elements. Various views of equivalent elements can be in different scales.

[0095] FIG. 1a shows a first device 1 in an actuated state; FIG. 1b shows the same device 1 in a non-actuated state. The devices 1 described hereafter each have a housing 15 in the embodiments shown. Such a housing 15 can also be omitted in other embodiments.

[0096] The device 1 furthermore has a magnetic data memory 10 and a data interface 13, which are in bidirectional data exchange with one another via a data connection 14. An item of information, specifically an item of checking information 101, has already been written in the magnetic data memory 10 via the data interface 13 in the present case.

[0097] Furthermore, the device 1 has a permanent magnet 11, which can be moved into the vicinity of the magnetic data memory via a mechanism. In the present example, the mechanism consists of an actuator 12, on which the permanent magnet 11 is arranged. The actuator 12 furthermore has a spring element 16. The actuator 12, and therefore also the device, are in an actuated state when the spring element 16, as shown in FIG. 1a, is under mechanical tension. In this case, the spring element 16, which can be, for example, a coiled spring or also a leaf spring or any other suitable type of spring, is compressed. If the actuator 12 is released, it thus moves automatically into the non-actuated position shown in FIG. 1b, in which the spring 16 is relaxed.

[0098] The non-actuated position is defined in this embodiment in that the permanent magnet 11 is located in the vicinity of the magnetic data memory 10, namely is arranged close enough thereto that its magnetic field is capable of destroying the information stored in the magnetic data memory 10. The content of the magnetic data memory 10 is then replaced by any random numeric sequence 101. By pressing down the actuator 12 again, of course, the actuated position according to the definition, as shown in FIG. 1a, can be mechanically reestablished. The item of checking information 101 remains destroyed, however. The device 1 is therefore capable for this purpose of primarily irreversibly maintaining a conversion from the actuated into the non-actuated state even in an at least temporarily powerless state. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the item of checking information 101 is correspondingly large and therefore can be considered to be unique, because thus a random correspondence with a random number 101, 101, . . . is nearly precluded.

[0099] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second device 1, also in an actuated and a non-actuated state. This second device differs from the abovementioned device in that it has a second memory 17. This second memory 17 can be arranged separately from the magnetic data memory 10 in its geometrical position. Alternatively or additionally, the second data memory 17 can be a memory type which is resistant to magnetic fields. For example, the second data memory 17 can be an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, an F-RAM, or an S-RAM.

[0100] This second data memory 17 is in bidirectional data exchange with the data interface 13 via a second data connection 14. In addition, the item of checking information 101 can also be written in the second data memory 17. In contrast to the case of the magnetic data memory 10, the item of checking information 101 of the second data memory 17 is not destructible by the permanent magnet 11. The item of checking information 101 can thus be retained in this manner in the device 1 itself, in order to be compared to the content of the magnetic data memory 10, for example, at a later point in time.

[0101] For a particularly good safeguard against possible errors, the two data memories 10, 17 are not in data exchange with one another in this embodiment, but rather are each in data exchange via a separate data connection 14, 14 with the data interface 13.

[0102] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c show the data interface 13 in slightly different variants. In all three variants, it has an RFID chip 132, which is connected to an associated antenna 131. In the first variant, the RFID chip 132 is guided via a first internal line 133 to a first terminal 134. In the second variant, the RFID chip 132 has a second terminal (not shown in greater detail), which is connected via a second internal data line 133 to an associated terminal of the data interface 134. In the third variant, the terminal of the RFID chip 132 is distributed to two terminals 134, 134 of the data interface. These three variants can be used for the purpose of separating the data connections to the magnetic data memory 10 and to the second data memory 17 from one another to avoid errors. Instead of the RFID chip 132, another input/output component could also be used, for example, a wired USB component or a wireless Bluetooth component comprising an associated antenna.

[0103] FIG. 3d shows an integrated component 18, in which, in addition to the data interface 13, the magnetic data memory 10 is also arranged. FIG. 3e shows the integrated component 18, in which the second data memory 17 is additionally also integrated. This means that both the magnetic data memory 10 and also the second data memory 17 are arranged together with the data interface 13 in this integrated component 18 and are advantageously embodied as a common assembly and in particular as an integrated circuit. The two data memories 10, 17 are advantageously in bidirectional data exchange in this case via a separate data connection 14, 14, respectively, with the data interface 13 and thus with the RFID chip 132. In this case, the data interface 13 and in particular the RFID chip 132 can have a microprocessor, which assumes the control of the data traffic, for example. The integrated component 18, 18, which is embodied as an integrated circuit in particular, can also have an additional microprocessor for such tasks, however. A geometrical separation of the two data memories 10, 17 is not particularly advisable in this structural form for reasons of space. The second data memory 17 is thus preferably a memory type which is resistant to magnetic fields for the mentioned reasons. The second data memory 17 can thus particularly preferably be an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, an F-RAM, or an S-RAM.

[0104] FIGS. 4a and 4b show, as a further variant, a device 1, which has such an integrated component 18, wherein the actuator 12 is in the actuated position in FIG. 4a. In FIG. 4b, in contrast, a release of the actuator 12 has taken place, and therefore the spring element 16 relaxes and the permanent magnet 11 is guided into the vicinity of the magnetic data memory 10, to destroy the item of information thereof. A further random number 101 is now in the magnetic data memory 10, while the item of checking information 101 is still retained unchanged in the second data memory 17.

[0105] FIGS. 4c and 4d show a transportation box 4 comprising a flap 41 in the open and closed states. The flap 41 is fastened via a hinge 42 on a hinge side 43 of the transportation box 4 and can be considered to be a manipulation-significant part for the transportation box 4. The device 1 is therefore arranged in the transportation box 4 such that closing of the flap 41 automatically results in actuation of the actuator 12. In the open state of the transportation box 4, as shown in FIG. 4c, the magnetic memory 10 of the integrated component 18 thus cannot be written. Writing the magnetic data memory 10 for the purpose of electronic sealing is only possible in a closed state of the transportation box 4, as shown by way of example in FIG. 4d.

[0106] It is apparent that the illustrations shown in FIGS. 4c and 4d are rough simplified schematic sketches, which at least permit the possibility of sabotage, or even make it obvious. However, a plurality of alternative embodiments is also possible, by which a principle according to the invention may be mechanically protected substantially better again sabotage. For example, in an alternative embodiment, which is shown in enlarged form in FIG. 4e and FIG. 4f, the actuator 12 can also be embodied as a rotating mechanism (shown by dashed lines) and can be fixedly connected to the flap 41, while the further device comprising its housing 15 and the magnetic data memory 10, which can be located in particular in the integrated component 18, is attached to the hinge side 43 of the transportation box 4. By opening the flap 41, a mechanism is then actuated, which moves the permanent magnet 11 in the direction of the arrow toward the integrated component 18 and thus toward the magnetic data memory 10. By particularly fine adjustment, the permanent magnet 11 can release the magnetic data memory 10 only upon complete closing of the flap 41 and can immediately destroy it upon slight opening. Furthermore, the transportation box 4 and in particular the flap 41 can be embodied in such a way that such a slight opening does not yet permit access to the content of the transportation box.

[0107] The arrangement shown in FIG. 4e and FIG. 4f is particularly advantageous, because the magnetic data memory 10 can be located particularly well protected in this case, low on the hinge side 43 in the transportation box 4. The movement radius of the permanent magnet 11 can also be restricted in this manner to a required minimum. The permanent magnet 11 also does not have to be embodied in the form of a circular segment for this purpose, but rather solely has to have a sufficient size and be arranged at a suitable point of the actuator 12 to overshoot the region which is covered by the magnetic data memory 10 upon its actuation. A spring element 16 can also be omitted in this embodiment. The permanent magnet 11 and the magnetic memory 10 are located in the outwardly closed housing 15, and therefore a forceful engagement on the housing 15 of the device 1 would destroy them and would thus also be recognized as manipulation.

[0108] In a further embodiment (not shown in the drawing), the device 1 can also be introduced into a closure mechanism of the transportation box 4, and thus can be automatically actuated upon closing of the transportation box 4.

[0109] FIG. 4g shows a padlock-type device 5. It has a housing 15 and an actuator 12, which is shown once again explicitly from various views and described in detail in FIGS. 4n and 4o. The housing 15 has a window (not shown in greater detail), through which a handle 121 of the actuator 12 protrudes out of the housing 15. Furthermore, this device 5 has a bracket 51, which has a curved region 510 at a first end and a locking region in the form of a toothed rack 511 at the other end.

[0110] FIG. 4h shows a possible mechanism 50, comprising the actuator 12, the bracket 51, and a locking element 53. The toothed rack 511 of the actuator 51 has teeth 513, which are spaced apart from one another by intermediate spaces. The locking element 53 has multiple counter teeth 531, which engage for locking in the intermediate spaces of the teeth 513 of the toothed rack 511. The actuator 12 is initially located in a locked position in this illustration.

[0111] The actuator 12 can, as shown in FIGS. 4i and 4j from the opposite direction, be displaced by a translational movement in the movement direction of the bracket 51. FIGS. 4k and 4l show the reverse locking process from the original direction again, wherein the actuator 12 is removed in this view to enable a free view of the further parts 51, 53 of the mechanism. If this movement takes place in an unlocking direction, the permanent magnet 11 arranged on the actuator 12 thus comes to rest above the magnetic data memory 10. At the same time, the locking element 53 is pulled away from the toothed rack of the locking bracket 51 by means of an unlocking pin 123 of the actuator 12, which engages in an inclined slot 532 of the unlocking element 53 for this purpose. The bracket 51 is thus released and can be pulled with its curved region 510, as shown in FIG. 4m, out of the housing 15, to open the padlock-type device 5.

[0112] FIGS. 4n and 4o show the actuator 12 with its handle 121 from two different perspectives. A rail 122, which is provided for the purpose of engaging in a groove (not shown) of the housing 15, can be seen particularly well in FIG. 4o.

[0113] FIG. 4p shows a transportation box 4 comprising a symbolically indicated closure, which is typically provided for use with a padlock. Of course, any other closure which is typically provided for use with a padlock is also suitable for use with the padlock-type device 5 in other embodiments.

[0114] The symbolically indicated closure will be described hereafter on the basis of FIG. 4p by way of example as the following arrangement: a tab 46, which has a slot 461, is attached to the cover 41 of the transportation box 4. Furthermore, the transportation box 4 has an eye 48, which engages through the slot 461 when the cover 4 is closed. In this state, the open bracket 51 can be guided with its curved region 510 through the eye 48 and the padlock-type device 5 can thereupon be closed and electronically sealed, and therefore opening of the transportation box 4 is no longer possible without destroying the electronic seal.

[0115] FIG. 5a shows a first data transmission between a monitoring unit 2 and the device 1. The actuator 12 of the device 1 is moved into an actuated position, in which, for example, the flap 41 of the previously filled transportation box 4 is closed. A first message M1 is then transmitted to the device 1 by the first monitoring unit 2 via the antenna 21 thereof. This message M1 contains an item of checking information 101.

[0116] In the present case, the data transmissions take place wirelessly via the RFID connection. This preferably occurs in a password-protected and/or encrypted manner. However, other wireless or wired transmission pathways are also possible in other embodiments instead of the RFID connection, e.g., Bluetooth or USB.

[0117] The device has, in addition to the actuator 12 comprising its spring element 16 and the permanent magnet 11, an integrated component 18, which comprises the RFID chip 132 (not explicitly shown here) and the associated antenna 131 and also the magnetic data memory 10 and the second data memory 17. In its most rudimentary design, the device merely has to have any type of data interface 13, the magnetic data memory 10, a permanent magnet 11, and an actuator 12 mechanically coupled thereto, however, so that the method according to the invention can be carried out.

[0118] After the transmission of the first message M1, the device 1 could write the transmitted item of checking information 101 both in its magnetic data memory 10 and also in its second data memory 17. In practice, however, two messages M1, M1 having the same content, namely the item of checking information 101, but different addresses and/or instructions are typically transmitted by the monitoring unit, in particular via an associated RFID reader, to the device. Accordingly, the content 101 of the one message M1 is written by the device in the magnetic data memory and the content 101 identical thereto of the other message M1 is written in the second data memory. This corresponds to electronic sealing.

[0119] Optionally, firstly the following check is provided thereupon: For the check, the device 1 transmits the content of both data memories 10, 17 back to the first monitoring unit 2, in particular in the form of two separate messages M2, M3. The first monitoring unit 2 can therefore check once again whether the contents thereof correspond to one another and in particular also whether they correspond to the originally transmitted item of checking information 101. This corresponds to a check of the electronic seal. If necessary, the sealing procedure can be repeated. However, the contents will typically correspond.

[0120] The device 1 can now be transported together with the object to be monitored, in the present case thus the transportation box 4, in which it is arranged. If, as shown in FIG. 5b, a transition of the actuator 12 into the non-actuated state takes place, in particular during the transportation, as shown in FIG. 4c, for example, i.e., opening of the flap 41 of the transportation box 4, for example, the permanent magnet 11 is thus guided to the integrated component 18 and thus to the magnetic memory 10. The content 101 of the magnetic memory 10 is thus destroyed and replaced by any random number 101.

[0121] After the transportation, as shown in FIG. 5c, a transmission of the contents 101, 101 of the two data memories, namely of the magnetic data memory 10 and of the second data memory 17, takes place again, preferably in the form of two further separate messages M4, M5 to a further monitoring unit 2. This further monitoring unit 2 can be in particular structurally equivalent to the abovementioned monitoring unit 2. This data transmission also takes place in particular in a password-protected and/or encrypted manner.

[0122] All data transmissions between the respective monitoring unit 2, 2 and the device 1 preferably take place in a password-protected and/or encrypted manner, to ensure particularly good data security.

[0123] FIG. 6 explicitly shows how the further monitoring unit 2 stores the contents 101, 101 of the messages M4, M5 received via its antenna 21 in a memory 22 of a processor 25, possibly in encrypted form, and compares the contents thereof via a computer operator 23. This corresponds to the check of the electronic seal.

[0124] If these contents do not correspond, as shown in the present case, an alarm is thus triggered via an output unit, for example, via a mobile wireless connection 24 as an SMS, a loudspeaker 24, a light 24, a computer 24, and/or via any other type of suitable device, to thus indicate the destruction of the seal and the presence linked thereto of a manipulation.

[0125] The following embodiments are disclosed as further exemplary embodiments:

EMBODIMENT 1

[0126] a device for monitoring the manipulation of a transportable object (4), wherein the device (1) comprises the following base elements: [0127] a magnetic data memory (10) for storing an item of checking information (101); [0128] a permanent magnet (11) for destroying this item of checking information (101); [0129] a mechanism (50) for carrying out the destruction of the item of checking information (101) of the magnetic data memory (10) by the permanent magnet (11); [0130] a data interface (13); [0131] a data connection (14) between the magnetic data memory (10) and the data interface (13) for the bidirectional data exchange between the magnetic memory (10) and the data interface (13).

EMBODIMENT 2

[0132] the device according to embodiment 1, wherein the magnetic data memory (10) is embodied in MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory) technology.

EMBODIMENT 3

[0133] the device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said mechanism (50) mechanically interacts with the permanent magnet (11).

EMBODIMENT 4

[0134] the device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanism (12) is capable of reducing the geometrical distance between the permanent magnet (11) and the magnetic data memory (10), to thus destroy the item of checking information (101) stored in the magnetic data memory (10).

EMBODIMENT 5

[0135] the device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanism (50) comprises an actuator (12), on which the permanent magnet (11) is arranged.

EMBODIMENT 6

[0136] the device according to embodiment 5, wherein the actuator has a spring element (16), the spring force of which counteracts an actuation of the actuator (12).

EMBODIMENT 7

[0137] the device according to either one of embodiments 5 to 6, wherein the device furthermore has a housing (15), in which or on which said base elements of the device (1) are arranged, wherein the actuator (12) is guided at least partially out of the housing (15) for the actuation.

EMBODIMENT 8

[0138] the device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises, as a further element, a second data memory (17) for separately storing the item of checking information (101).

EMBODIMENT 9

[0139] the device according to embodiment 8, characterized in that the content of the magnetic data memory (10) can be destroyed separately by the permanent magnet (11), wherein the content of the second data memory (17) can be preserved unchanged simultaneously.

EMBODIMENT 10

[0140] the device according to either any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the type of the second data memory (17) differs from the type of the magnetic data memory (10).

EMBODIMENT 11

[0141] the device according to any one of embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the second data memory (17) is an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, an F-RAM, or an S-RAM. 30o Embodiment 12: the device according to any one of embodiments 8 to 11, wherein the magnetic data memory (10) and the second data memory (17) are arranged in an integrated component (18).

EMBODIMENT 13

[0142] the device according to embodiment 12, wherein the data interface (13) is additionally also arranged in the integrated component (18).

EMBODIMENT 14

[0143] the device according to any one of embodiments 8 to 13, wherein the device has a further separate data connection (14), via which the second data memory (17) is in a bidirectional data exchange with the data interface (13).

EMBODIMENT 15

[0144] the device according to any one of embodiments 8 to 14, wherein the second data memory (17) has a password protection.

EMBODIMENT 16

[0145] the device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the magnetic data memory (10) has a password protection.

EMBODIMENT 17

[0146] the device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the data interface (13) has an encryption and/or a decryption system.

EMBODIMENT 18

[0147] the device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device (1) comprises means for wireless data transmission.

EMBODIMENT 19

[0148] the device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device comprises an RFID transponder or at least one RFID chip (132) and an associated antenna (131).

EMBODIMENT 20

[0149] the device according to embodiment 19, wherein the RFID chip (132) is part of the data interface (13).

EMBODIMENT 21

[0150] a system, comprising a device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, and furthermore comprising the transportable object (4) to be monitored, wherein the transportable object (4) has a manipulation-significant part (41).

EMBODIMENT 22

[0151] the system according to embodiment 21, wherein the object to be monitored is a transportation container (4) and the manipulation-significant part (41) is a closure, a cover, a door, a flap (41), a lock, or any other means for opening the transportation container (4) to be monitored for manipulation.

EMBODIMENT 23

[0152] the system according to either one of embodiments 21 to 22, wherein the system furthermore comprises a separate monitoring unit (2).

EMBODIMENT 24

[0153] the system according to embodiment 23, wherein the monitoring unit (2) has means for reading (21, 25) and comparing (22, 23) the content (101, 101) of the magnetic data memory (10) and the second data memory (17).

EMBODIMENT 25

[0154] the system according to embodiment 24, wherein the monitoring unit has means for outputting an alarm display (24, 24) and/or an alarm message (24) and/or an alarm signal (24, 24), which are used to indicate a deviation of the content of the magnetic data memory (10) from the content of the second data memory (17).

EMBODIMENT 26

[0155] the system according to any one of embodiments 21 to 25, wherein the system comprises means for wireless data transmission between the device (1) and the monitoring unit (2).

EMBODIMENT 27

[0156] the system according to embodiment 26, wherein said means for wireless data transmission comprise the RFID transponder (132, 131), which is part of the device (1), and furthermore comprise an RFID reader, which is part of the monitoring unit (2).

EMBODIMENT 28

[0157] the system according to any one of embodiments 23 to 27, wherein the system has, in addition to the monitoring unit (2), a further such monitoring unit (2), wherein the monitoring unit (2) is arranged at a first location and wherein the further monitoring unit (2) is either embodied as movable as a so-called handheld unit or is arranged in a stationary manner at a second location, to electronically seal the object (4) at the first location, transport it to the second location, and be able to check the electronic sealing at the second location.

EMBODIMENT 29

[0158] a method for monitoring the manipulation of a transportable object (4) comprising the following steps: [0159] a) ensuring a geometrical distance sufficiently large for data storage in a magnetic data memory (10) of the magnetic data memory (10) from a permanent magnet (11); [0160] b) transmitting and writing an item of checking information (101) from a monitoring unit (2) into the magnetic data memory (10); [0161] c) transmitting and writing the item of checking information (101) in a second data memory (17); [0162] d) transporting the object (4) to a predefined intended location; [0163] e) reading out, transmitting, and comparing the content of the magnetic data memory (10) to the content of the second data memory (17).

EMBODIMENT 30

[0164] the method according to embodiment 29, wherein the method also has the following step between step c.) and step d.): [0165] c2.) reading out, transmitting, and comparing the content of the magnetic data memory (10) to the content of the second data memory (17) to check the previously performed data transmission and writing procedures.

EMBODIMENT 31

[0166] the method according to either one of embodiments 29 to 30, wherein method step d.) is supplemented by the following method step: [0167] d2.) destroying the item of checking information (101) by reducing the distance between the permanent magnet (11) and the magnetic data memory (10) by using a mechanism (12).

EMBODIMENT 32

[0168] the method according to any one of embodiments 29 to 31, characterized in that the method is supplemented by the following step after step e.): [0169] f1.) If a difference is established in step e.) between the content of the magnetic data memory (10) and the content of the second data memory (17), an item of information is output which states that a manipulation is present.

EMBODIMENT 33

[0170] the method according to any one of embodiments 29 to 32, characterized in that the method is supplemented by the following step after step e.): [0171] f2.) If a correspondence is established in step e.) between the content of the magnetic data memory (10) and the content of the second data memory (17), an item of information is output which states that no manipulation is present.

EMBODIMENT 34

[0172] the method according to any one of embodiments 29 to 33, wherein the transmission and writing of the items of checking information (101) in method step b.) take place in a password-protected manner.

EMBODIMENT 35

[0173] the method according to any one of embodiments 29 to 34, wherein the readout and transmission of the content of the magnetic data memory (10) in method step e.) take place in a password-protected manner.

EMBODIMENT 36

[0174] the method according to any one of embodiments 29 to 35, wherein the data transmission in method step b.) and/or in method step e.) take places in an encrypted manner.

EMBODIMENT 37

[0175] the method according to any one of embodiments 29 to 36, wherein the method comprises a wireless transmission of data to write the magnetic data memory (10) and/or to read out the content of the magnetic data memory (10).

EMBODIMENT 38

[0176] the method according to embodiment 37, characterized in that, for the wireless transmission of the data, an RFID reader communicates wirelessly with an RFID transponder (132, 131), wherein the RFID transponder (132, 131) transmits data to the magnetic data memory (10) and/or receives data therefrom via a data line (14).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0177] 1 device for monitoring the manipulation [0178] 10 magnetic data memory [0179] 101 item of checking information [0180] 101, 101 random numbers [0181] 11 permanent magnet [0182] 12 actuator [0183] 121 handle of the actuator [0184] 122 slide rail of the actuator [0185] 123 actuating pin [0186] 13 data interface [0187] 131 RFID antenna [0188] 132 RFID chip [0189] 133,133 internal data line [0190] 134,134,134 data terminal [0191] 14,14 bidirectional data connection [0192] 15 housing [0193] 16 spring element [0194] 17 second data memory [0195] 18 expanded component [0196] 18 integrated component [0197] 2,2 monitoring unit, further monitoring unit [0198] 21,21 antenna [0199] 22 memory [0200] 23 operator [0201] 24,24,24,24 output unit, mobile wireless connection, loudspeaker, light, computer, . . . [0202] 25 processor [0203] 4 transportation box [0204] 41 flap [0205] 42 hinge [0206] 43 hinge side [0207] 46 tab [0208] 461 slot of the tab [0209] 48 eye [0210] 5 padlock-type device [0211] 50 mechanism [0212] 51 bracket [0213] 510 curved region of the bracket [0214] 511 locking region/toothed rack of the bracket [0215] 513 teeth of the toothed rack [0216] 53 locking element [0217] 531 counter teeth of the locking element [0218] 532 diagonal slot [0219] M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 messages