EP3535736B1

EP3535736B1 - Container for carrying valuables and method of manipulating valuables in response of rapid movement of such container

Info

Publication number: EP3535736B1
Application number: EP17868264.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Magnus Lindskog; Johan MARKLUND
Original assignee: Strongpoint Cash Security AB
Current assignee: Strongpoint Cash Security AB
Priority date: 2016-11-03
Filing date: 2017-10-31
Publication date: 2023-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-31
Also published as: HUE065995T2; SE1651448A1; SE542470C2; PL3535736T3; RU2758204C2; RU2019116850A; EP3535736C0; RU2019116850A3; EP3535736A4; HRP20240340T1; WO2018084781A1; EP3535736A1; ES2973520T3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a container for carrying valuables, the container being arranged to manipulate said valuables in response to a rapid movement of said container. The invention also relates to a method of activating manipulation of valuables in a security container in response to an unexpected movement of said security container.

BACKGROUND

When money and other valuables are moved from stores, banks and other commercial entities it is important that this is done in a safe manner that minimises the risks of thefts but that also minimises the risks of assaults on the personnel carrying the valuables.
Normally, security guards or the like are contracted to carry valuables in a portable security container, typically a briefcase, from the store, bank or other commercial entity to a security vehicle in which the container is safely received in a rack in a closed space. The vehicle is then driven to the entity in which the valuables are to be received, typically a bank. The most vulnerable and exposed part of such practical money transfer is the part where the security guard carries the portable security container to and from the security vehicle. Therefore, many arrangements exist to minimize the risk of successful thefts and at the same time to minimize the risk of assault on a security guard.
A common way of protection is to manipulate the content of the portable security container in response to a harsh handling thereof or any type of attempts of getting hold of the contents. Often, such manipulation involves an explosion to tear up the bags holding the valuables inside the portable security container and the emission of ink or the like to stain the valuables and make them useless. This serves several purposes. Firstly, the knowledge of the security system will minimize the desire to steel such portable security containers. Further though, a stolen portable security container that "goes off" will most likely be left behind by the perpetrators, knowing that the contents of the portable security container will most likely be without value if they succeed in opening the portable security container. This minimises the damage to the owner of the valuables, since the valuables may be counted and a correct value may be asserted so as to assure a correct evaluation of the value, which will be accepted and fully appreciated by any insurance company.
Numerous systems have been implemented to manipulate the contents in response to an unwanted or unexpected handling of the portable security container. In EP 0 235 103 A2 a system is disclosed wherein a portable security container is provided with a timer. The portable security container is arranged to be moved from one security rack to another security rack, wherein at least one of said racks is arranged in a security vehicle and wherein the timer is activated when the portable security container is released from the first rack such that an action is taken when the portable security container has not been put inside the second rack within a certain time. An action may be to send an alarm or to manipulate the contents. US 2015/168101 A1 disclosing a security container for carrying goods comprising a system which notifies the user when the container is positioned or is moved outside an approved range.
EP 2 037 424 A2 disclosing a banknotes anti-theft device comprising an accelerometer and a medium to be emitted when a predetermined motion exceeds a preselected threshold value.
A drawback with the above described timer system is that the portable security container may be taken quite a long way before the timer activates the manipulation system, thereby making it possible for the perpetrator(s) to travel quite a distance from the scene of the crime before the manipulation system is activated. In such a case the portable security container may not be recovered, whereby it will not be possible to change the valuables, such as bank notes or bills, for new ones. A portable security container that undergoes an apparent manipulation, such as a dyeing of the bank notes, is often left behind and especially if the manipulation system activated close to the scene of the crime.
Therefore, timer activated systems for portable security containers are often complemented by an additional system. Normally, such additional system involves manual remote activation by the security officer carrying the portable security container. This kind of systems however incur an unwanted risk for the security personnel, since it may urge the perpetrator(s) to put the security personnel out of action.
An alternative security system is disclosed in GB 2 359 890 A , in which a pedometer is provided to recognize the walk of a specific security guard carrying the portable security container. If the walk is not considered to correspond to the walk of the specific security guard an action may be taken.
Both the above systems may be useful but they also involve an uncertainty, which may lead to unwanted manipulation in response to unexpected circumstances not involving any criminal activity such that the expected carrying time is overdue or that the portable security container is for some reason carried by a deputy security officer with a hitherto unknown walk.
Therefore, there is a desire to guarantee security without undue risking that the valuables are unintentionally manipulated in response to unexpected handling, not involving any criminal activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable security container that minimises the problems of the prior art but that provides optimal security for security personnel and minimises the risk of successful thefts, according to the appended set of claims.
According to first aspect, the invention relates to a portable security container for carrying goods, such as valuables, the portable security container comprising a manipulation system for manipulating the goods in response to an unexpected handling of the portable security container, characterised in that the portable security container comprises a motion sensor registering movement of the portable security container and a control unit configured to activate the manipulation system in response to a registered movement of the portable security container of a velocity exceeding a threshold velocity.
The control unit is configured to activate the manipulation system in response to that a movement of a velocity exceeding a threshold velocity is upheld during a time interval exceeding a threshold time period.
With the inventive system of the portable security container the risk of a successful theft is minimal and likewise the risk of assault on the security officer carrying the container may leave the portable security container to the perpetrators knowing that they are not likely to flee the crime of the scene without activating the manipulation system of the security container.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manipulating goods, such as valuables, contained in a portable security container, characterised by the steps of: registering a movement of the portable security container, and, in response to a registered movement of the portable security container of a velocity exceeding a predetermined threshold velocity, activation of a manipulation system to manipulate the goods inside portable security container.
The manipulation system is activated in response to that a movement of a velocity exceeding the predetermined threshold velocity is upheld during a time interval exceeding a predetermined threshold time period.
In one specific embodiment an alert signal is issued when the predetermined threshold velocity has been surpassed.
In one specific embodiment an alert signal is instead issued when an auxiliary threshold velocity has been surpassed, which auxiliary threshold velocity is lower than said predetermined threshold velocity.
In a specific embodiment a first step of registering that the security container is in active mode precedes the other steps of the method. Preferably the portable security container is automatically set in the active mode whenever it is carried and in an inactive mode disabling the manipulation system, when located in a therefore adapted rack.
According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising a computer program code which when executed enables a computer to perform the steps of the method described above.
Other embodiments and advantages will be apparent from the detailed description and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment related to the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, of which:

Fig. 1: shows a schematic embodiment of a portable security container in accordance with the invention in closed mode,
Fig. 2: shows the embodiment of fig. 1 in an open mode,
Fig. 3: shows a portable security container in normal use, and
Fig. 4: shows a portable security container in a use that triggers activation of an inherent manipulation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In Figures 1 and 2 a portable security container 10 for carrying goods 11, such as valuables, is schematically shown. The portable security container 10 comprises a goods compartment 12 for receiving goods 11 and a lockable opening mechanism 13. Further, the portable security container 10 comprises a manipulation system for manipulating the goods 11 in response to an unexpected handling of the portable security container. In the shown embodiment the manipulation system includes at least one explosive charge 14 and at least one dye element 15 for staining the goods. Such dye may preferably include a DNA profile such that goods may be traceable to the specific portable security container.
The portable security container 10 further comprises a motion sensor 16 registering movement of the portable security container and a control unit 17 configured to activate the manipulation system. The motion sensor 16 may be of any type that registers movement in a plane, e.g. a transponder, an accelerometer, a GPS-sender or a gyro. Preferably, the motion sensor 16 is of a type that is not in need of outer information, such as satellites. Hence, from that aspect, a gyro may be advantageous. In the shown embodiment both the control unit 17 and the motion sensor 16 are arranged on circuit board 18 that is to be housed inside the portable security container 10.
The control unit 17 is arranged to receive a signal corresponding to the movement registered by the motion sensor 16. In a preferred embodiment the control unit 17 is arranged to activate the manipulation system, e.g. in response to a signal from the motion sensor indicating a registered movement of the portable security container 10 of a velocity V exceeding a predetermined threshold velocity V_TH.
In figure 3, normal, intended use of the portable security container is shown, wherein a security officer A carries the security container 10 at a velocity V₁, which is well below the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH. Normally, the officer A carries the security container 10 from a security rack 20, located for instance in a security vehicle in which the security is transported over longer distances. The officer A may return to the rack 20 with the security container 10 after a visit in bank or the like where the container has been emptied or filled with valuables, or the container may be carried from one rack 20 to another. At all instances the security container 10 is carried at about the velocity V₁, below the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH.
In figure 4, on the other hand, the security container 10 is first carried by a security officer A at a velocity V₁ that is below the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH, whereby a perpetrator B makes a hostile take-over of the security container 10 and takes off from the location at a velocity V₂, which exceeds the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH. Hence, in response thereto the manipulation system will be activated, whereby the perpetrator is likely to leave the security container 10 with manipulated content behind, close to the location where it was retrieved.
Under normal circumstances the security guard carries the portable security container walking at speed of about 5 km/h.
However, as illustrated in figure 4, when the portable security container 10 is stolen from the security guard, the perpetrator(s) is/are likely to take off from the scene of the crime as quickly as possible. In accordance with the invention this will trigger the manipulation system. Namely, the control unit 17 is configured to activate the manipulation system in response to that a movement of a velocity V exceeding a predetermined threshold velocity V_TH. Such a predetermined threshold velocity V_TH1 may be about 10 km/h, about 15 km/h, 20 about 25 km/h, about 30 km/h, about 35 km/h etc. Hence a velocity that is above an ordinary walking velocity but that is easily exceeded when carried by a running person, or at least when moved by a vehicle.
In a specific embodiment, the control unit 17 is configured to activate the manipulation system in response to that a movement of a velocity V exceeding the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH is upheld during a time interval T exceeding a threshold time period T_TH. Typically, such a threshold time period T_TH may be about 5 seconds, about 10 seconds, about 20 seconds or about half a minute. The time should not be too long in order to minimize the risk that the portable security container may be removed too far from the scene of the crime before the manipulation system is activated. On the other hand, the time should not be too short, in order to avoid that the manipulation system of the portable security container 10 is activated by mistake.
Further, the portable security container 10 preferably comprises an alarm system configured to alert that an alarm threshold has been surpassed, and the control unit may be configured to activate the manipulation system in response to that a second, activation threshold has been surpassed. As an example an alarm threshold may be the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH and the activation threshold may be a threshold time period T_TH during which a velocity V exceeding a threshold velocity V_TH is upheld. In such an example the security guard carrying the portable security container could be notified by an alarm such as a sound, light or buzz signal that the portable security container is moving at a velocity that exceeds the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH1 such that the security guard will have a chance to slow down in order to avoid that the velocity of the portable security container is upheld long enough to surpass the threshold time period T_TH , which would otherwise activate the manipulation system.
As an alternative the alarm threshold, at which an alert signal is issued may be an auxiliary threshold velocity V_TH2 and the second threshold may be the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH, the auxiliary threshold velocity V_TH2 being lower than the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH. The auxiliary threshold velocity V_TH2 may e.g. be about 8km/h, 10 km/h, about 15 km/h, 20 about 25 km/h, about 30 km/h, about 35 km/h etc. as long as it is lower that the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH. When an alert signal is issued in response to a lower, auxiliary threshold velocity V_TH2 is exceeded the manipulation system may either be activated directly when the predetermined threshold velocity V_TH is exceeded, or when it has been exceeded for a time period exceeding the threshold time period T_TH.
The alarm may preferably be issued as signal in the form of a sound, buzz or light intended to note the carrier of the security container 10. It may however also be issued to a central security centre, such that personnel may be alerted at early moment that a threat has been located, such that relevant security measures may be taken.
The control unit 17 is preferably configured to control the portable security container 10 between an active mode in which the manipulation system may be activated and an inactive mode, in which the manipulation system may not be activated. Typically, the control unit is configured to automatically control the portable security container 10 to an active mode whenever it is carried and to an inactive mode when located in a therefore adapted rack. Such a rack 20 is illustrated in figures 3 and 4 and may be located in a security vehicle, such that the manipulation system will not be activated during transport in a therefore adapted security vehicle.
Above, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. The invention is however not limited to these embodiments. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

A portable security container (10) for carrying goods (11), such as valuables, the portable security container comprising a control unit (17) and a manipulation system configured to manipulate the goods in response to an activation signal transmitted from the control unit (17), characterized in that the portable security container comprises a motion sensor (16) configured to register movement of the portable security container, wherein the control unit (17) is configured to activate the manipulation system in response to that a registered movement of the portable security container of a velocity (V) exceeding a predetermined threshold velocity (V_TH1) is upheld during a time interval (T) exceeding a predetermined threshold time period (T_TH1), wherein the portable security container further comprises an alarm system configured to alert that an alarm threshold velocity (V_TH2) has been surpassed, said alarm threshold velocity (V_TH2) being lower than said predetermined threshold velocity (V_TH1).
The portable security container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (17) is configured to set the portable security container (10) in either an active mode in which the manipulation system may be activated or an inactive mode, in which the manipulation system may not be activated.
The portable security container (10) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (17) is configured to automatically set the portable security container (10) in the active mode whenever it is carried and in the inactive mode when located in a therefore adapted rack (20).
A method of manipulating goods (11), such as valuables, contained in a portable security container (10), characterised by the steps of:
- registering a movement of the portable security container (10), and

- in response to a registered movement of the portable security container (10) of a velocity (V) exceeding a predetermined threshold velocity (V_TH1), activation of a manipulation system to manipulate the goods inside the portable security container, wherein the manipulation system is activated in response to that a movement of a velocity (V) exceeding the predetermined threshold velocity (V_TH1) is upheld during a time interval (T) exceeding a predetermined threshold time period (T_TH1), wherein an alert signal is issued when an auxiliary threshold velocity (V_TH2) has been surpassed, said auxiliary threshold velocity (V_TH2) being lower than said predetermined threshold velocity (V_TH1).
The method according to claim 4, wherein a first step of registering that the security container (10) is in active mode precedes the other steps of the method.
The method according to claim 5, wherein the portable security container (10) is automatically set in the active mode whenever it is carried and in an inactive mode disabling the manipulation system, when located in a therefore adapted rack.