Wireless Tamper Device Multi-Layer Probe Antenna Resonance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security measures for commercial vehicles require manual visual inspection of tamper seals, leading to downtime and increased labor costs, as they rely on physical and visual verification of security devices like zip ties and adhesive seals.

Innovation Solution

A wireless tamper device (WTD) with a multi-layer probe that detects physical triggers, such as breaking or deformation, by altering its antenna length and operating frequency, allowing for remote detection of tampering without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual visual inspection of security seals is used, then tamper detection capability is maintained, but vehicle downtime and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper detection capabilityVSAvoidvehicle downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with an electronic sensor-based system. Sensors detect tamper events automatically through physical changes (breakage, deformation) and transmit signals wirelessly, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection while maintaining reliable tamper detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The security system performs self-monitoring and self-reporting functions. The sensors continuously monitor the security seal status and automatically transmit tamper alerts without requiring human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in detecting and reporting tamper events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual visual inspection of security seals is used, then tamper detection capability is maintained, but labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper detection capabilityVSAvoidlabor costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual labor-intensive visual inspection process with an automated electronic sensor system that detects tamper events and transmits alerts automatically, eliminating the need for human inspectors while maintaining reliable tamper detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The security system performs self-monitoring and self-reporting functions. The sensors continuously monitor the security seal status and automatically transmit tamper alerts without requiring human intervention, eliminating labor costs associated with manual inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional security seals are used, then physical tamper evidence is provided, but remote monitoring capability is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper evidenceVSAvoidremote monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless communication modules as intermediaries between the physical security seals and remote monitoring systems. Sensors detect physical tamper evidence and convert it into electronic signals that are transmitted wirelessly to remote locations, enabling remote monitoring while maintaining reliable tamper evidence detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical visual inspection system with an electronic sensing and wireless communication system, enabling automatic detection and remote transmission of tamper evidence without requiring physical presence or visual inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and cost-effective remote monitoring of tampering events, reducing downtime and labor costs by automatically transmitting tamper state signals, thereby enhancing security and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

detect a physical trigger on the multi-layer probe, and set the tamper state to tampered in response to detecting the physical trigger wherein the physical trigger is a breaking of the multi-layer probe that reduces the antenna length, thus causing the antenna to operate at a shifted operating frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntenna resonance frequency change: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3493170B1Wireless tamper device
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3493170B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3493170B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3493170B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed is a wireless tamper device ("WTD"). The WTD includes a transmitter, multi-layer probe, processing device, and power supply. The processing device is in signal communication with the multi-layer probe and the power supply is in signal communication with the transmitter and processing device. The processing device includes a processor and a computer-readable medium ("CRM"). The CRM has encoded thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to initiating a tamper state to untampered, detect a physical trigger on the multi-layer probe, and set the tamper state to tampered in response to detecting the physical trigger.