Secure packaging boxes and system for immediate transfer of responsibility

Abstract

System for verifying the integrity of a package, including: - packaging designed to provide electromagnetic shielding of goods contained within the packaging to ensure that no tampering with the goods has occurred via a radio interface, and wherein digital patterns are printed on all sides of the packaging; - one or more reading devices configured to capture each side of the packaging where a pattern is located; and - an evaluation unit that works in conjunction with one or more reading devices and is designed to determine, based on the patterns detected by the reading device or devices, whether the packaging is mechanically undamaged.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for checking the integrity of a package.

[0002] In standard packaging systems, goods are typically packed in robust cardboard boxes. Adhesive seals or tapes indicate whether a box has been opened or damaged. A signature confirms receipt to the shipping company.

[0003] The recipient typically checks the seals or adhesive tapes of a standard package. The sender only receives confirmation that the goods have been delivered but usually has no way of verifying whether any relevant damage or tampering by third parties occurred during transport.

[0004] In particular, goods equipped with a radio interface could have been tampered with, as conventional packaging does not shield them from radio signals. There is no legally binding transfer of responsibility from the sender to the recipient that can be directly proven. Whether and to what extent indirect proof is possible depends on the transport company. But even if indirect proof were possible, this increases the complexity of the connected systems and reduces transparency.

[0005] Based on this, the present invention aims to create a system that can ensure the integrity of goods during transport and a legally valid transfer of physical responsibility for the goods.

[0006] This problem is solved by a system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described below.

[0007] According to claim 1, a system for verifying the integrity of a package is disclosed, comprising: - packaging which is preferably designed to provide electromagnetic shielding of goods contained in the packaging to ensure that no manipulation of the goods has taken place via a radio interface, and wherein digital patterns (preferably counterfeit-resistant digital patterns) are preferably printed across the entire surface of all sides of the packaging; - one or more reading devices configured to capture each side of the packaging where a pattern is located; and - an evaluation unit that interacts with one or more readers and is designed to determine, based on the patterns detected by the reader or readers, whether the packaging is mechanically intact, the mechanical integrity of the packaging indicating that no physical access has occurred during transport.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit is AI-supported.

[0009] The invention thus enables the provision of a shielding, i.e., radio-signal-impermeable, packaging as well as automatically readable patterns that allow for complete verification of the integrity of the goods upon delivery to the recipient. The invention also includes a variant without electromagnetic shielding for goods or devices that do not require protection from radio signals during transport.

[0010] Specifically, the goods or devices in the form of implants involve a modification through coil communication. This cannot currently be visually detected based on any external characteristic.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the packaging can be designed as a Faraday cage. Digital, counterfeit-resistant patterns are applied to all sides of the packaging (ideally printed across the entire surface). Reading devices ensure that every side with a pattern is detected. Software or a computer program (e.g., AI-supported) can be executed on the evaluation unit to assess whether the packaging is mechanically intact. Mechanical integrity of the packaging ensures that no physical tampering has occurred during transport. Furthermore, electromagnetic shielding ensures that the goods have not been manipulated via a radio interface. If the packaged goods are, for example, powered devices with wireless communication technology (e.g.,...(cardiological implants), the shielding prevents the devices from being compromised via wireless communication.

[0012] In the following, embodiments of the invention, as well as further features and advantages of the invention, will be explained with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1. Materials for magnetic shielding; Fig. 2 a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging according to the invention; and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system according to the invention.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the packaging can be designed as a Faraday cage by incorporating or attaching a metal layer (e.g., in the form of aluminum foil) to the packaging, which is particularly effective for attenuating high-frequency signals. In this way, the packaging is designed for electromagnetic shielding. For low-frequency signals (coil telemetry is a type of magnetic field telemetry), a large distance to the outside is necessary. This would be economically advantageous if the carton is designed as an outer carton containing, for example, many implants and possibly designed as a reusable carton.

[0014] A single metal layer is generally only sufficient for shielding RF telemetry in the MHz range. Low-frequency signals, as is common in coil telemetry ("magnetic field telemetry"), can penetrate it (the magnetic field is not attenuated by metal). For this purpose, a layer of ferromagnetic material can be used according to a preferred embodiment; see, for example, the table in [reference]. Fig. 1.

[0015] Digital seals or patterns (e.g. QR codes) are printed on all six sides of the packaging carton (see, e.g., Fig. 2) The seals are designed to be read and verified by a computer program running on the evaluation unit (e.g., an app on a smartphone). Furthermore, the app or computer program checks the integrity of the packaging from all sides using pattern recognition (e.g., AI). This ensures that no physical tampering with the goods has occurred during transport by third parties.

[0016] In particular, QR codes can be placed on every side of the packaging (e.g., cardboard box). Ideally, the QR codes are printed directly onto the packaging or box to prevent them from being removed or replaced. In addition to the QR codes, further patterns can be printed on the packaging to simplify the subsequent verification of the packaging's integrity. These additional patterns can also simply be repetitions of the QR code.

[0017] A QR-coded handover confirmation legally confirms the transfer of responsibility. Upon final QR-coded confirmation of receipt by the recipient, the included devices are also activated for use. Without this activation, the devices are unusable. This restriction enforces the recipient's adherence to the process.

[0018] Instead of the aforementioned QR codes, fine barcodes can also be used, which become unreadable if simply photographed and printed.

[0019] Alternatively, text can be used in such a small font that it becomes illegible when simply photographed and printed. Furthermore, the patterns can be provided as holographic prints or can feature shimmering colors or a shimmering material, which may be part of the shielding. Geometric shapes can also be used as patterns.

[0020] The reader(s) interact with an evaluation unit running a computer program or app. This program is registered to both the sender and the receiver and programmed to require QR codes or patterns to be photographed from each side of the packaging or box. Alternatively, four photos taken from four diagonals are sufficient. For this purpose, four corners of the box can be printed with the numbers 1 to 4 and an automatically recognizable pattern (e.g., a circle) (see [reference]). Fig. 2).

[0021] During the final handover to the recipient or intermediate handover to a parcel station, at least one reading device checks the QR codes of all six sides of the packaging and decides whether the packaging has been damaged / manipulated during transport.

[0022] The system can then instruct the user to take four photos at approximately a 45° angle. The computer program or app can overlay the number of the desired edge and a wireframe model onto the camera image to easily achieve the correct angle. By photographing from the four angles mentioned above, every surface and edge of the packaging (e.g., cardboard box) can be captured. Randomly applying the corresponding codes / patterns to the packaging via stickers or printing ensures that each package is unique. This also allows for the precise and unambiguous identification of the necessary adhesive strips for sealing the packaging.

[0023] During shipping, the computer program or app saves photos of the just-closed and sealed packaging (e.g., cardboard box) to a central server. Upon receipt, the computer program or app compares the centrally stored photos with the photos just taken (optionally using artificial intelligence (AI)) and thus determines whether the packaging or cardboard sides are undamaged.

[0024] The recordings are not only used to check for integrity, but are also permanently stored for later verification.

[0025] In particular, the computer program or app can be configured to transmit the integrity information to the sender / manufacturer. There, all devices contained in the packaging or box are registered as active in the central system.

[0026] Furthermore, the system according to the invention can provide that when a device is started by the receiver, the device first establishes a connection to the central server and checks whether it is registered as active. Only if this is the case does the device enable its intended use.

[0027] In the event that the recipient forgets to confirm receipt by scanning the packaging or box, or does not wish to do so for their own reasons, the computer program or app provides the option to accept the goods at their own risk without checking the packaging for damage.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an application of an embodiment of a system or method according to the invention.

[0029] Step 1: The sender packages the goods. The packaging (e.g., boxes) is either already printed with individual codes and / or patterns, or these are affixed (manually or by machine).

[0030] Step 2: The sender creates the four photos using the computer program or the app.

[0031] Step 3: The computer program / app transmits the photos along with the necessary identification data of the packaged goods (e.g. serial numbers) to the central server.

[0032] Step 4: The goods are shipped and delivered.

[0033] Step 5: The recipient creates the four photos using the computer program / app.

[0034] Step 6: The computer program / app transmits the photos to the central server. Using the data from the QR code, the photos can be matched to the photos from the sender and the serial numbers of the goods.

[0035] Step 7: The central server checks the integrity using photo comparison.

[0036] Step 8: The central server informs the computer program / app that the package is intact, which then displays this information and requests legally valid confirmation from the recipient. If the package is not intact, the computer program / app also indicates this and initiates an error process (e.g., return and automatic reshipment).

[0037] Step 9: The recipient legally confirms receipt of the goods in undamaged condition. Retroactively from the time the four photos were taken in step 5, the recipient is now considered responsible for the undamaged condition of the goods.

[0038] Step 10: The central server now unlocks all goods contained in the packaging / carton for their intended use.

[0039] Step 11: The recipient unpacks the goods. Devices with wireless communication technology can now be contacted.

[0040] Step 12: Devices that can connect directly to the central server do so upon initial power-up. The device checks whether it is authorized for its intended use. If not, it does not permit its intended use. For devices that cannot establish a direct connection to the central server, this can be done by other devices. For example, a programming device for implants can check whether an implant has been authorized on the central server during its initial programming. This indirect authorization check has the additional benefit of preventing implants from reaching the customer's warehouse via other channels. Smuggling manipulated implants past the normal receiving process would therefore be impossible, as this would be detected during the initial programming.

[0041] The invention advantageously enables a high degree of security for the shipment of critical goods. This will become increasingly relevant in the future in the context of so-called supply chain security. The NIS-2 EU Regulation is an example of an EU-wide regulation that obliges companies in key sectors (e.g., healthcare, medical technology, communications technology, etc.) to secure their supply chains. In particular, the invention provides a basis for a legally valid, direct transfer of risk from the sender to the recipient within the framework of such regulations. Furthermore, the invention allows transport companies to detect whether a package is already damaged upon delivery to automated parcel lockers, in order to refuse acceptance if necessary or to document the damage.

Claims

[1] System for verifying the integrity of packaging, comprising: - packaging designed to provide electromagnetic shielding of goods contained within the packaging to ensure that no tampering with the goods has occurred via a radio interface, and wherein digital patterns are printed on all sides of the packaging; - one or more reading devices configured to capture each side of the packaging where a pattern is located; and - an evaluation unit that works in conjunction with one or more reading devices and is designed to determine, based on the patterns detected by the reading device or devices, whether the packaging is mechanically undamaged.

Images