ELECTRONIC SEAL AND ELECTRONIC LOCK, AND IMPLEMENTATION METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC SEAL

Abstract

 An electronic seal, electronic lock and an implementation method of electronic seal are provided in the present invention. According to an embodiment, the electronic seal is removably attached to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed, the electronic seal comprising: a seal-tearing sensor configured to have different states when the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed and when the electronic seal is not attached to the object to be sealed; a control unit configured to determine the state of the electronic seal at least partially based on the state of the seal-tearing senor; and a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device to send state data of the electronic seal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This disclosure in general relates to item monitoring, and more particularly to an electronic seal, an electronic lock and an implementation method of electronic seal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In many cases, it is desired to seal items to prevent unexpected access to those items. For example, as to container shipment, it is necessary to seal containers (especially the doors) to prevent loss of goods contained therein and embarkation of contraband goods. These seals are generally mechanical seals, such as lead seals.

[0003] Currently, there are only fewer types of electronic seals, with functions that are less than satisfactory. For example, door-clamping sensors may be used for containers, which comprise GPS (Global Position System) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) modules for transmitting location information and information of the door-clamping sensors to a control center. However, these electronic seals only can be installed on containers having their door opened, and further depend on cooperation of at least two operators.

[0004] In addition, door-clamping sensors need enough space for their installation in containers and only can be installed in common containers, because door-clamping sensors are clamped between doors and door frames, causing very large gaps therebetween, which is not allowed for cold chain containers, as well as other special containers.

[0005] Furthermore, due to the presence of GPS and GPRS modules, current electronic seals with clamping sensors suffer from high power consumption, which leads to shorter battery stand-by and service time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of above, an improved electronic seal, electronic lock and an implementation method of electronic seal are provided in the present invention.

[0007] According to an aspect of this disclosure, the electronic seal capable of being removably attached to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed is provided, comprising: a seal-tearing sensor configured to have different states when the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed and when the electronic seal is not attached to the object to be sealed; a control unit configured to determine the state of the electronic seal at least partially based on the state of the seal-tearing senor; a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device to send state data of the electronic seal.

[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an electronic lock is provided, comprising: a communication unit configured to communicate with an electronic seal; and a control unit configured to determine the state of the electronic seal based on electronic seal state data received from the electronic seal through the communication unit, and when the state of the electronic seal is abnormal, report an exception to a management center.

[0009] According to still another aspect of this disclosure, an electronic seal is provided, comprising: a fixing component for removably attaching the electronic seal to an object to be sealed; a seal-tearing sensor configured to detect the attachment state of the electronic seal and the object to be sealed.

[0010] According to still another aspect of this disclosure, an implementation method of electronic seal is provided, comprising: attaching the electronic seal to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed; detecting whether the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed through a sensor, if the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed, an attachment state is outputted by the sensor, if the electronic seal is separate from the object to be sealed, a remove state is outputted by the sensor; determining the state of the electronic seal based on the output state of the sensor

[0011] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the electronic seal may be easily attached to (for example, magnetically attached to) an object to be sealed, and may easily seal the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] From the description of embodiments of this disclosure given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows an electronic seal according to an embodiment of this disclosure, wherein

Fig. 1A is a top view, B is a cross section view taken along the dot dash line in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2 schematically shows an electronic seal according to another embodiment of this disclosure, wherein A is a top view, B is a cross section view taken along the dot dash line in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 3A schematically shows a block diagram of the electronic seal according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

Fig. 3B schematically shows a block diagram of the electronic seal according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

Fig. 4 schematically shows a block diagram of a power module according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

Fig. 5 schematically shows a block diagram of an electronic lock according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

Fig. 6 schematically shows a flow chart of an initialization process according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

Fig. 7 schematically shows a flow chart of in-transit control process according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

Fig. 8 schematically shows a flow chart of a process carried out when an abnormal state is detected by an electronic seal according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

Fig. 9 schematically shows a flow chart of an unsealing process according to an embodiment of this disclosure; and

Fig. 10 schematically shows an implementation method of the electronic seal according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] Below, embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be appreciated that these descriptions are merely illustrative and are not limitation of the scope of this disclosure. Further, in the following description, well known structures and techniques will not be described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.

[0014] Various figures of embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings. These figures are not drawn to scale, wherein for the purpose of clarity, some details are enlarged and some other details may be omitted.

[0015] Below, a description will be given with an application to containers as an example. It should be noticed that the electronic seal and electronic lock disclosed herein are not limited to the application to containers, and may be applied to other objects having a requirement for sealing.

[0016] Fig.1 schematically shows an electronic seal according to an embodiment of this disclosure, wherein Fig. 1A is a top view, B is a cross section view taken along the dot dash line in Fig. 1A. Note that the top view in Fig. 1A and the cross section view in Fig. 1B are not drawn to scale.

[0017] As shown in Fig.1, the electronic seal 100 according to an embodiment may comprise a seal housing 101. Various components of the electronic seal 100 are disposed in the interior of the seal housing 101 to prevent unexpected operations to the components of the electronic seal 100 from outside, such as tampering with data. This seal housing 101 may be an integral component (for example, a component formed through molding), or may be formed through connecting several portions (for example, upper and lower portions). According to an embodiment, the seal housing 101 may be made of a magnetically permeable material (i.e., magnetic field permeable), such as a metal material.

[0018] The electronic seal 100 may be removably attached to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed. Because it is only needed to attach to an exterior surface of the object, attaching and detaching the electronic seal 100 do not change the packing state of the object to be sealed. For example, for an object that is hermetically packed, its hermetic package may be remained. The electronic seal may be arranged on a path that must be traveled to access the interior of the pack. For example, in the case of an application to a container, the electronic seal 100 may be attached to an outer wall of container doors across a seam therebetween. Different to a clamping sensor (which cannot be directly mounted on an exterior surface of a container, and must be clamped between two doors, so that the doors must be opened to mount/dismount the sensor), it is not required to change the close state of the doors to attach/detach the electronic seal 100.

[0019] It should be noticed that the pack of the object to be sealed is not limited to a hermetic pack. For example, the following example may be envisaged. Particularly, a recessed switch is provided on a wall (that is, the switch is recessed inwardly from the surface of the wall). Generally, it is desired to prevent operations to the switch; however, in some cases (for example, for emergencies), operations to the switch is allowable. Hence, to prevent unexpected operations to the switch, an electronic seal may be arranged on the wall to cover the switch. In an emergency condition, the electronic seal may be removed to expose the switch. In this case, because the switch is recessed from the wall, the wall may be treated as a "pack" of the switch. However, this pack is not hermetic, from which the switch may be exposed. The electronic seal may be attached to an exterior surface of the pack (i.e., a surface of the wall) to shield the switch.

[0020] This removable attachment of the electronic seal 100 may be realized in many ways. In an example, magnetic bolts 107 may be provided. The magnetic bolts 107 may be magnetically attracted on a surface of the object to be sealed. In the example shown in Fig.1, two magnetic bolts 107 are provided in a diagonal arrangement. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and more or less magnetic bolts may be provided (i.e., one bolt, with less stability). Preferably, the magnetic bolt 107 may be moved along a hole traveling through the casing 101(for example, with a thread cooperative with the bolt, the magnetic bolt may be moved through rotating the magnetic bolt) to facilitate convenient attachment/detachment of the electronic seal 100. This magnetic attachment is convenient, especially, in the application to containers, because most containers are made of steal. To reduce effects of the magnetic field of the magnetic bolt 107 on other components in the interior of the casing, a magnetic shielding material may be provided on the wall of the hole.

[0021] Certainly, the attachment method is not limited to magnetic attraction. For example, the electronic seal 100 may be adhered to a surface of the object to be sealed using a mighty bond. When it is required to detach the electronic seal, a solvent that may dissolve the mighty bond may be applied. Or a mechanical attachment method may be used. For example, the object to be sealed and the electronic seal may be provided with corresponding mechanical connection mechanisms respectively (for example, the electronic seal may be provided with bolts and the object to be sealed may be provided with bolt holes).

[0022] To prevent the electronic seal 101 from being removed from the sealed object while the electronic seal 101 is attached to the object (i.e., the object is sealed by the electronic seal 101 and thus kept in a sealed state), the electronic seal 100 may comprise a seal-tearing sensor 103. The seal-tearing sensor 103 may have different states when the electronic seal 100 is attached to the object to be sealed and when the electronic seal 100 is not attached to the object to be sealed.

[0023] In an example, the seal-tearing sensor 103 may comprises a Hall sensor. In this case, the seal-tearing sensor 103 may be attached to the object to be sealed by means of a matched magnet 500. For example, the magnet 500 may be attracted to a surface of the object to be sealed, and the electronic seal 100 may be attached to the object to be sealed with the seal-tearing 103 substantially aligned with the magnet 500. For the convenience of location and matching with the surface of the object to be sealed (particularly, a substantially flat surface of the object to be sealed), a groove matching with the magnet 500 may be provided on the casing 101. In this case, when the electronic seal 100 is attached to the object to be sealed, the magnet 500 may be held in the groove. The magnet 500 may be fixed component on the object to be sealed, or may be a separate component.

[0024] The seal-tearing sensor 103 may be provided on a circuit board 105 located in the seal housing 101, and may be connected to a corresponding drive circuit and a control circuit (not shown). When the electronic seal 100 is attached to the object to be sealed, the seal-tearing sensor 103 may be faced toward the magnet 500, so that it may detect a magnetic signal. When the electronic seal is detached from the object to be sealed, the magnet 500 in general is attached to the object to be sealed (due to magnetic force), so that the seal-tearing sensor 103 may detect decay of the magnetic signal, or even detect no magnetic signal at all. According to the change in the magnetic signal detected by the seal-tearing sensor 103, an attachment/detachment state of the electronic seal 100 may be detected. To ensure that the magnet 500 is steadily attached to the object to be sealed rather than being detached along with the electronic seal 100 when detaching the electronic seal 100, the magnet 500 may be a fixed component on the object to be sealed. A region of the casing 101 corresponding to the magnet 500 may be made of a magnetically permeable material. Further, to ensure the detection accuracy of the seal-tearing sensor 103, a magnetic shielding material may be provided around the seal-tearing sensor 103 (to shield other magnetic fields as much as possible, such as magnet fields from magnetic bolts 107), so that only one magnetic field may be received on a side of the seal-tearing sensor 103 facing toward the magnet 500.

[0025] Further, it is also possible to provide a relatively smaller magnet 500. In this case, a smaller displacement of the electronic seal 100 may produce an effect on the seal-tearing sensor 103. It should be noticed that, the size of the magnet 500 is preferably smaller than the size of the groove receiving the magnet 500 on the casing 101, and a magnet 500 having a size equivalent to that of the groove on the casing 101 has to be avoided. Otherwise, the magnet 500 may move with the movement of the casing 101 (for example, a movement on a surface of the object to be sealed), in which case this movement cannot be detected by the seal-tearing sensor 103. Thus, preferably, in the future it may be provided to preserve some position on containers for a groove used for accommodating or fixing a magnet, and a locating mechanism corresponding to the groove may be provided to facilitate the locating of the electronic seal.

[0026] Note that although the seal-tearing sensor is described with a Hall sensor as an example, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Other sensors such as pressure sensors or light sensors are also applicable. For example, a push element may be provided on a surface of the casing 100 facing toward the object to be sealed. When the electronic seal 100 is not attached to the object to be sealed, the push element may protrude from the surface. When the electronic seal 100 is attached to the object to be sealed, the push element may be pressed by a surface of the object to be sealed and retracts toward the inside of the casing. The state of the push element may be detected by a pressure sensor, and therefore the attachment/detachment of the electronic seal may be detected. Alternatively, a light-transmitting window may be provided on a surface of the casing 100 facing toward the object to be sealed, and a light source and a light sensor may be provided in the casing. When the electronic seal 100 is not attached to the object to be sealed, light emitted from the light source (for example, infrared light) transmits outside from the light-transmitting window, which is reflected on the surface of the object to be sealed and then is detected by the light sensor. When the electronic seal 100 is attached to the object to be sealed, the transmitted light cannot be detected by the light sensor. However, magnetic sensing is preferable, because it is not necessary to form an opening for the sensor, and a full-enclosed casing 101 may be obtained. Certainly, a combination of different sensing methods is also possible, in which case the attachment/detachment of the electronic seal may be detected more reliably.

[0027] To prevent malicious destruction of the enclosed casing 101 (for example, cutting the casing 101), a breakage-preventing sensor may be further provided. For example, this breakage-preventing sensor may comprises a light sensor and/or a magnetic sensor. Particularly, a light sensor may be provided on a circuit board for detecting light intensity in the casing 101. In normal conditions (i.e., hermetic casing 101), it is dark inside the casing 101 and a very small light intensity or even zero intensity may be detected. If the casing 101 is cut up, the light sensor may detect an increase in light intensity, and then a breakage state of the casing 101. Further, in the case of a casing 101 composed of several portions, such as an upper cover and a lower cover, a Hall sensor and a magnet may be provided on the upper cover and the lower cover respectively. Thus, when the upper cover or the lower cover is taken apart, a change in the magnetic field may be detected and thus a breakage state of the casing 101 may be detected.

[0028] The electronic seal 100 may further comprise a communication unit for communicating with an external device. For example. The communication unit may send state data of the electronic seal to the external device (for example, in the application to a container, a customs lock used in association with the electronic seal). The state of the electronic seal may at least comprise the state of the seal-tearing 103, and optionally may further comprise the state of the breakage-preventing sensor. The communication unit may communicate through an antenna 109.

[0029] Further, the electronic seal 100 may be further provided with energy-saving measures to prolong the service time of its battery.

[0030] For example, the electronic seal 100 may comprise a pressure switch 111. When the electronic seal 100 is not attached to the object to be sealed, the pressure switch 111 is in an off state, thereby the power supply (e.g., a battery) of the electronic seal 100 is switched off and does not supply power to active components of the electronic seal 100. On the other hand, when the electronic seal 100 is attached to the object to be sealed, the pressure switch 111 may be pressed to turn on the power supply. Thus, power is only supplied in the sealing state, which may effectively prolong the service time of the battery.

[0031] Further, the electronic seal 100 may commonly enter into a sleep state to reduce power consumption; however, it may be awoken when a wake-up signal is received, or an abnormal state is detected. This will be further described below.

[0032] According to an embodiment, different to a clamping sensor, the electronic seal according to this disclosure may not comprise a GPS module and/or a GPRS module to further reduce power consumption.

[0033] Note that these energy-saving measures are not necessary. According to practical situations, one or more of these measures may be applied, or none of these measures are applied (for example, in the situation of a sufficient power supply).

[0034] On the casing 101, an electronic tag 113 may be further provided. The electronic tag 113 may store identification (ID) information of the electronic seal 100, such as a unique ID number assigned to the electronic seal 110. The electronic tag 113 may be a passive tag, such as a passive RF ID tag (e.g., a 13.56 MHz contactless IC card). Thus, ID information of the electronic seal 100 may be conveniently read from outside using a read device (e.g., a handheld device used at the customs)

[0035] The ID information may also be printed on the casing 101. For example, for the convenience of an operator to visually recognize the ID information of the electronic seal 100, visible ID information may be printed (such as digital numbers). Alternatively, ID information that is readable by other device may be printed, such as a barcode and/or a two-dimension code. In the example of Fig.1, the ID information is printed on the electronic tag 113. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In fact, the ID information may be printed on any observable positions on the casing 101.

[0036] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, another electronic tag (not shown) may be further provided in the casing 101, such as on the circuit board 105. The electronic tag may also store ID information of the electronic tag 100, as well as other information exclusively for the electronic seal 100, such as an operation password. The information stored in this electronic tag may be read and used by internal components of the electronic seal 100 (e.g., a control unit on the circuit board 105). This electronic tag may be an active tag, such as a security storage chip.

[0037] Fig.2 schematically shows an electronic seal according to another embodiment of this disclosure, wherein A is a top view, B is a cross section view taken along the dot dash line in Fig. 1A.

[0038] The electronic seal 200 shown in Fig. 2 differs from the electronic seal 100 shown in Fig.1 mainly in its shape: the electronic seal 200 is in an "L" shape, while the electronic seal 100 is in a "-" shape. This "L" shaped electronic seal 200 is suitable for attaching to, for example, door hinges of containers.

[0039] As shown in Fig.2, the electronic seal 200 according to this embodiment may comprise a seal housing 201. Similarly, the casing may be attached to an object to be sealed with magnetic bolts 207. Various components of the electronic seal 200, e.g., a seal-tearing sensor 203 and a circuit board 205, etc., are arranged in the seal housing 201. An antenna 209, a pressure switch 211 and an electronic tag 213 may be provided on the casing. As to these components (201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213), reference may be made to the description of corresponding components in Fig.1, which will not be repeated herein.

[0040] In addition to the difference in shape described above, the arrangement of the circuit board 205 of the electronic seal 200 in the casing may be also different from the arrangement of the circuit board 105 of the electronic seal 100. Particularly, in the electronic seal 100, the electronic seal 105 may have a substantially uniform distribution in the casing 101. In the electronic seal 100, the circuit board 205 may be disposed on one side of the casing 201. Further, the arrangement of the circuit board in the electronic seal (e.g., the uniformly distributed arrangement or the one-side arrangement described above) may vary according to practical requirements for the shape, mechanical strength, customer demands, security, or operation environments of the seals.

[0041] Fig. 3A schematically shows a block diagram of the electronic seal according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3A, the electronic seal 300 may comprise a state sensor 321 for detecting the state of the electronic seal 300. For example, the state sensor 321 may comprise a seal-tearing sensor 3211 for detecting whether the electronic seal 300 is attached to an object to be sealed. Seal-tearing sensors 103, 203 are examples of this seal-tearing sensor 3211. In addition, the state sensor 321 may further comprise a breakage-preventing sensor 3213 for detecting the state of the casing of the electronic seal 300. Examples of the breakage-preventing sensor 3213 may comprise the light sensor and/or the magnetic sensor described above. Certainly, the state sensor 321 may further comprise other sensors, such as an acceleration sensor, a proximity sensor.

[0043] The electronic seal 300 may further comprise a control unit 323. The control unit 323 may determine the state of the electronic seal 300 based on the detection result of the state sensor 321. For example, the state of the electronic seal 300 may include sense data of various sensors in the state sensor 321, or a "normal", "abnormal" decision made by the control unit 323. For example, a state of the electronic seal at the end of an initialization process for sealing may be set as a reference state (which will be further described below), a state consistent with the reference state may be determined as a "normal" state, and a state deviating from the reference state (for example, going beyond a threshold) may be determined as an "abnormal" state (for example, the sense result of the seal-tearing sensor 3211 changes from "attached (to an object to be sealed)" to "not attached (to an object to be sealed)"). The control unit 323 may be realized by a processor, microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 323 may further comprise a cooperative memory storing programs or codes required for the operation of the control unit 323, or data required or generated during the operation of the control unit 323.

[0044] In addition, the electronic seal 300 may further comprise a communication unit 325 for communicate with an external device (for example, the electronic lock described below, particularly, a customs lock) to exchange data therebetween (e.g., to send state data of the electronic seal). Herein, the state data of the electronic seal may comprise a state of the electronic seal determined by the control unit 323, and optionally further comprise other information, such as ID of the electronic seal. The communication unit 325 may adopt various suitable communication protocols, such as wireless communication protocols.

[0045] The electronic seal 300 may further comprise a power supply module 327 for supplying power to its components. As described above, the power supply module 327 may be triggered by a pressure switch.

[0046] Various components of the electronic seal 300 such as the state sensor 321, the control unit 323, the communication unit 325 and the power supply module 327 may be disposed on a circuit board (e.g., the circuit board 105 or 205 described above) in the casing of the electronic seal 300.

[0047] As described above, the electronic seal 300 may commonly enter into a sleep state. In the sleep state, most components of the electronic seal 300 may be deactivated or may be in a low power consumption mode (for example, the control unit 323 may has a high power consumption mode and a low power consumption mode; the high power consumption mode is a full function mode, while in the low power consumption mode, only some functions are available), in which at least one state sensor (especially, the seal-tearing sensor 3211) is activated, and some portions of the control unit 323 for determining the state of the electronic seal may be operative to determine the state of the electronic seal based on the activated state sensor (and other portions are not in operation). For example, the control unit 323 may be realized in a multi-processor architecture, wherein one processor is dedicated to the determination of the state of the electronic seal, and remaining processors are responsible for other operations. In the sleep mode, only the processor dedicated to state determination is in operation. Further, in the sleep state, a portion of the communication unit 325 for receiving signals from outside (e.g., a passive-activation communication module for receiving a wake-up signal from an external device) may be activated, and the remaining portions (e.g., a portion for sending signals outside) may be deactivated (e.g., a portion for sending signals outside). This sleep mode is common in electronic devices, particularly in mobile electronic devices such as smart phones, which will not be described herein.

[0048] The electronic seal 300 may be awoken in response to a wake-up signal received from an external device. For example, the communication unit 325 may comprise a passive-activation communication module 3251 for receiving this wake-up signal. To receive this wake-up signal reliably, the passive-activation communication module is always in an activated state upon the electronic seal is powered on. Upon the wakeup of the electronic seal 300, its state may be determined (through the control unit 323), and corresponding state data may be sent to the external device (through the communication unit 325). For example, the external device may periodically send a wake-up signal to periodically query the state of the electronic seal 300.

[0049] Further, the electronic seal 300 may be awoken in response to an abnormal state of the electronic seal. For example, if the control unit 323 (particularly, a portion dedicated to the determination of the state of the electronic seal) determines an abnormal state (e.g., the electronic seal is not attached to the sealed object, i.e., it has been detached from the sealed object) based on an activated state sensor, the electronic seal 300 may be awoken. The awakened electronic seal 300 may send an alarm to the external device (through the communication unit 325). In the case that the external device (e.g., an electronic lock described below, particularly a customs lock) is in a sleep state (for saving energy), after being awakened, the electronic seal 300 may first send a wake-up signal to the external device to awake the external device. Thus, the communication unit 325 may comprise an active-activation communication module 3253 for sending this wake-up signal. The active-activation communication module 3253 may be commonly in a sleep state, and may be awakened to send a wake-up signal when an abnormal state is detected.

[0050] In addition, the communication unit 325 may further comprise a data communication module 3255 for exchanging data with the external device (for example, state data). The data communication module 3255 is commonly in a sleep state, and may be awakened in response to the wakeup of the electronic seal 300 (for example, as a result of receiving a wake-up signal from outside or detecting an abnormal state). The awakened data communication module 3255 may send state data of the electronic seal to the external device.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the passive-activation communication module 3251 and the active-activation communication module 3253 may operate at a low frequency (e.g., 125 KHz), while the data communication module may operate at a high frequency (e.g., 433 MHz or 2.4 GHz).

[0052] Further, communications between the communication unit 325 and the external device (particularly, data exchange between the data communication module 3255 and the external device) may be performed through encryption. For example, 256-bit RSA asymmetric encryption and/or elliptical curve asymmetric encryption may be adopted. Further, it is also possible to exchange digital signatures with the external device to validate each other.

[0053] Further, the wake-up signal or data sent from the communication unit 325 may comprise ID of the electronic seal 300 to enable the external device to identify the source where the wake-up signal or data is transmitted.

[0054] Note that although the communication unit 325 in the example shown in Fig. 3A comprises three modules, this disclosure is not limited thereto. This implementation of three modules is mainly for power saving (i.e., commonly, most portions of the communication unit 325 such as the active-activation communication module 3253 and the host communication module 3255 may enter into a sleep mode, and only a small portion such as the passive-activation communication module 3251 is activated). In fact, the communication unit 325 may be realized in any suitable manner, so long as it may communicate with the external device to send/receive data or signals.

[0055] Fig. 3B schematically shows a block diagram of the electronic seal according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 3B, the electronic seal 300 may comprise a fixing component 329 for removably attaching the electronic seal to an object to be sealed, a seal-tearing sensor 3211 configured to detect the attachment state of the electronic seal and the object to be sealed, a control unit 323 configured to determine the state of the electronic seal based on the state of the seal-tearing senor.

[0057] Hence, the control unit 323 and the seal-tearing sensor 3211 may determine the state of the electronic seal 300 according to whether the fixing component 329 is attached to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed.

[0058] Wherein the fixing component may be a magnetic connector for being magnetically removably attached to an object to be sealed; the seal-tearing sensor may comprise a Hall sensor; and a control unit may be used for determining the state of the electronic seal at least partially based on the state of the Hall sensor.

[0059] Fig. 4 schematically shows a block diagram of a power supply module according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 4, the power supply module 427 may comprise a power supply 4271. The power supply 4271 may be a safe power supply, and may comprise various suitable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, fuel cells. The battery may be a single use or rechargeable battery. The battery may be charged using a wired and/or wireless method.

[0061] The power supply module 427 may further comprise a pressure switch 4273 connected to the power supply 4271. Examples of the pressure switch 4273 comprise the pressure switches 111 and 211 described above. The pressure switch 4273 turns on the power supply 4271 when it is triggered, to supply power to components of the electronic seal. The pressure switch 4273 turns off the power supply 4271 when it is not pressed to stop supplying power to components of the electronic seal.

[0062] Further, to prevent the electronic seal from being unable to send an alarm when the electronic seal is illegally detached, as the pressure switch 4273 being switched off to interrupt power supply of the system, the power supply module 427 may further comprise an electronic switch 4275 connected in parallel with the pressure switch. In the case of being sealed on an object, the control unit (see 323 in Fig. 3A) may send a control signal to initiate the electronic switch 4275, so that the electronic switch is always switched on when the electronic seal is sealed on the object. In this way, even if the pressure switch 4273 is illegally switched off in the sealing state, the electronic switch 4275 may ensure power supply of the system, and thus makes sure that an alarm may be sent out.

[0063] Fig. 5 schematically shows a block diagram of an electronic lock according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0064] As shown in Fig.5, the electronic lock 500 according to an embodiment may comprise a control unit 501 and a communication unit 503. The electronic lock may be used in cooperation with one or more electronic seals described above. In the case of a container, the electronic lock may be a customs lock. For example, each container may be equipped with a customs lock, and one or more electronic seals may be provided in the container. In general, a container may be provided with three electronic seals, for example, one sealed on a door seam of the container (for example, a "-" shaped electronic seal shown in Fig. 1) and the other two sealed on hinges on opposite sides (for example, the "L" shaped electronic seal shown in Fig.2).

[0065] The control unit 501 may be realized by a processor, microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 501 may further comprise a cooperative memory for storing programs or codes required for the operation of the control unit 501, or data required or generated during the operation of the control unit 501.

[0066] The communication unit 503 may communicate with an electronic seal. For example, as described above, the communication unit 503 may send a wake-up signal to the electronic seal, receive a wake-up signal from the electronic seal, and/or exchange data with the electronic seal (for example, receive state data from the electronic seal). The wake-up signal or data sent from the communication unit 503 may comprise ID of an electronic seal, so that only a specific electronic seal (i.e., an electronic seal having this ID) is awoken, or only a specific electronic seal (i.e., an electronic seal having this ID) receives the data.

[0067] The control unit 501 may determine the state of the electronic seal based on the received electronic seal state data (for example, normal or abnormal), and when it is determined that the state of the electronic seal is abnormal, it may instruct the communication unit 503 to report an exception to a management center (for example, a customs inspection center). The report may comprise at least one of the ID of the electronic lock 500 and the ID of the abnormal electronic seal.

[0068] Thus, the communication unit 503 may comprise portions communicating with an electronic seal (for example, an active-activation communication module corresponding to the passive-activation communication module of the electronic seal for sending a wake-up signal to the electronic seal, a passive-activation communication module corresponding to the active-activation communication module of the electronic seal for receiving a wake-up signal sent from the electronic seal, and a data communication module corresponding to the data communication module of the electronic seal for exchanging data with the electronic seal) and a portion communicating with the management center (for example, GPRS).

[0069] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the communication unit 503 may comprise a 3D (three dimensional) antenna. The 3D antenna is an omnidirectional antenna and may receive signals from various directions. According to a difference in signals from different directions, e.g., a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Identifier) difference, the control unit 501 may locate a relative position of the electronic seal, and thus may determine whether the electronic seal has been moved (for example, when a change of the relative position goes beyond a threshold value, it may be determined that the electronic seal has been moved). If it is determined that the electronic seal has been moved, the control unit 501 may instruct the communication unit 503 to report an exception to the management center. Further, when a movement has been determined, the control unit 501 may further instruct the communication unit 503 to send a wake-up signal to awake the electronic seal and query its state.

[0070] Further, the electronic lock 500 may further comprise a locating device (not shown), such as a GPS system for determining its position.

[0071] The electronic lock 500 may commonly enter into a sleep state. In the sleep state, most components of the electronic lock 500 may be deactivated, or may be in a low power consumption mode (for example, the control unit 501 may has a high power consumption mode and a low power consumption mode; the high power consumption mode is a full function mode, while in the low power consumption mode, only some functions are available), in which a necessary communication function of the communication unit 503 may be activated.

[0072] The electronic lock 500 may be awakened at predetermined time such as periodically to issue a wake-up signal to the electronic seal, to query the state of the electronic seal. Alternatively, the electronic lock 500 may be awakened in response to a wake-up signal received from the electronic seal (which means that the electronic seal is in an abnormal state), or may be awakened in response to an instruction from the management center to perform corresponding management operations.

[0073] As described above, the electronic lock according to this embodiment may be used in association with an electronic seal. In an example, after the electronic lock and the electronic seal have been mounted on an object to be sealed, this association may be realized through an initialization process. For example, in the case of an application to a container, after the container is loaded and checked (for example, by a customs officer), it may be sealed with electronic seals. For example, a "-" shaped electronic seal may be attached to a door seam and two "L" shaped electronic seals may be attached at hinges of doors on both sides. Certainly, other electronic seals may be attached in other positions (for example, a position having a state varying with the state of the container that is changed from "sealed" to "unsealed", for example, at a gap between the door and the door frame). After the electronic seal is attached to the container, a pressure switch is pressed to turn on its power supply. Upon power on, the electronic seal may be reset and then enter into a sleep state. Further, an electronic lock (a customs lock) may be mounted on the container, for example, it may be hanged on a lock catch of the container and pressed against a lock beam to turn on its power supply. The customs lock may store customs information of a corresponding container, for example, a wagon number of the container, a container number, a driver identification number, a customs declaration, etc. A customs lock on the same container may be associated with electronic seals attached to this container. A customs officer may send a wake-up signal using a handheld device, read the ID of the customs lock and performs a sealing operation on the customs lock after confirmation. After being sealed, the customs lock may return information indicating the completion of sealing to the handheld device.

[0074] Fig. 10 schematically shows an implementation method of the electronic seal according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 10, at operation S1001, the electronic seal may be attached to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed;
Then, at operation S1003, it may be detected that whether the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed through a sensor. If the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed, an attachment state may be outputted by the sensor; if the electronic seal is separate from the object to be sealed, a remove state may be outputted by the sensor.

[0076] Finally, at operation S1005, the state of the electronic seal may be determined based on the output state of the sensor.

[0077] Thus, it is possible to attach or remove an electronic seal without varying the state of an object to be sealed. Furthermore, the electronic seal may detect the state itself in order to avoid being removed when attaching to the object to be sealed.

[0078] Fig. 6 schematically shows a flow chart of an initialization process according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 6, first, IDs of electronic seals to be associated with the electronic lock may be inputted into the electronic lock (ID1...IDn in Fig. 6) (n is a natural number). For example, this input may be directly performed on an input device of the electronic lock. In a preferable embodiment, a handheld device is used to scan ID information (e.g., a barcode or a 2D code) printed on the casing of each electronic seal, or to read ID information stored in a (passive) electronic tag provided on the casing (without awaking internal circuits of the electronic seal). Preferably, reading ID information of electronic seals may be performed before the attachment of these electronic seals. Then, the handheld device may import obtained ID information into the electronic lock. Preferably, this import may be performed before mounting the electronic lock.

[0080] After that an initialization process 600 may be carried out between the electronic lock and the electronic seals (ID1... IDn).

[0081] At operation S601, the electronic lock may send a wake-up signal to an electronic seal. This wake-up signal is a targeted signal (for example, it includes an electronic seal ID) or is a non-targeted signal (for example, it does not include an electronic seal ID). Further, the wake-up signal may also comprise an ID of the electronic lock itself. For example, the electronic lock may issue a non-targeted wake-up signal (null, lock_ID_optional, wake_up) or a targeted wake-up signal ([ID1, ID2,···, IDk,···, IDn], lock_ID_optional, wake_up) (k is a natural number and 1 ≤ k ≤ n), or may issue targeted wake-up signals to various electronic seals (ID1, lock_ID_optional, wake_up), (ID2, lock_ID_optional, wake_up) ···(IDk, lock_ID_optional, wake_up) ··· (IDn, lock_ID_optional, wake_up).

[0082] Then, at operation S603, in response to a received wake-up signal (for example, received through a passive-activation communication module), an electronic seal may be awakened and may return its ID to the electronic lock (for example, through a data communication module). In the case that the wake-up signal includes an electronic seal ID, an electronic seal may compare the ID included in the received wake-up signal and its own ID (e.g., an ID stored in an active electronic tag provided on a circuit board) to check whether they are identical. The electronic seal returns its ID only if the ID included in the wake-up signal is identical to its own ID. On the other hand, if the wake-up signal doesn't include an electronic seal ID, any electronic seals received this wake-up signal may return their own IDs. This wake-up signal is targeted (for example, including an electronic lock ID (the electronic lock ID included in the wake-up signal)) or is non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic lock ID). For example, the electronic seal IDk may return (IDk, lock_ID_optional).

[0083] Then, at operation S605, the electronic lock receiving the returned signal may compare the electronic seal ID included in the returned signal with the electronic seal ID to be associated that has been inputted to the electronic lock previously. If the returned signal includes an electronic lock ID, the electronic lock may ignore any returned signals including electronic lock IDs that are not consistent with its own ID.

[0084] In the case of determining that the electronic seal IDs received at S605 are consistent with the imported electronic seal IDs, at operation S607, the electronic lock sends an association locking instruction to the electronic seals (ID1...IDn). This association locking instruction may be targeted (for example, including an electronic seal ID) or is non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic seal ID). Further, the association locking instruction may also comprise an ID of the electronic lock. For example, the electronic lock may issue a non-targeted association locking instruction (null, lock_ID_optional, association_locked) or a targeted association locking instruction ([ID1, ID2···IDk···IDn], lock_ID_optional, association_locked), or may issue targeted association locking instructions (ID1, lock_ID_optional, association_locked), (ID2, lock_ID_optional, association_locked) ··· (IDk, lock_ID_optional, association_locked) ··· (IDn, lock_ID_optional, association_locked) to various electronic seals respectively.

[0085] Then, at operation S609, in response to the association locking instruction, an electronic seal may lock its state. For example, the electronic seal may determine its current state as a reference state based on its state sensor, and indicate this state as a "normal" state of the electronic seal and other states deviating from the "normal" state (going beyond a threshold value) as "abnormal" states. Further, the electronic seal may switch on an electronic switch. Thus, even if a malfunction occurs in its pressure switch (e.g., due to malicious detachment of the electronic seal), power supply is continued via the electronic switch to enable the electronic seal to operate and report an exception.

[0086] Further, at operation S611, the electronic seal may send an acknowledgment to the electronic lock. The acknowledgment may comprise ID of the electronic seal and may further comprise ID of the electronic lock. Further, the acknowledgment may comprise a "normal" state locked at S609. For example, the electronic seal IDk may returns an acknowledgment (IDk, locked_acknowledgement, lock_ID_optional, normal_status_optional).

[0087] Through this initialization process, the electronic lock is associated with the electronic seals and thereby the object is sealed. In the description above, the targeted signal is used to prevent interference with other electronic locks/electronic seals. If no such interference exists (for example, in the case of sealing containers one by one), a non-targeted signal may be used. Herein, the so-called "targeted" signal means this signal includes an identification of a destination that is expected to receive this signal. The so-called "non-targeted" signal means this signal does not include a destination identification.

[0088] During the above initialization process, the electronic lock detects whether an electronic seal may respond to a wake-up signal sent from the electronic lock. During the above initialization process, an electronic seal may further detect whether the electronic lock may respond to a wake-up signal sent from the electronic seal.

[0089] Particularly, at operation S612, the electronic seal may send a wake-up signal to the electronic lock (for example, through its active-activation communication module). This wake-up signal may be a targeted signal (for example, it includes an electronic lock ID) or is a non-targeted signal (for example, it does not include an electronic lock ID). Further, the wake-up signal may also comprise an ID of the electronic seal. For example, the electronic seal IDk may issue a non-targeted wake-up signal (null, IDk_optional, wake_up), or may issue a targeted wake-up signal (lock_ID, IDk_optional, wake_up).

[0090] Then, at operation S623, the electronic lock always responds to the received wake-up signal regardless of the state of the electronic lock. Certainly, if the electronic lock ID included in the targeted wake-up signal received does not match its own ID, the wake-up signal may be ignored. This response signal may be targeted (for example, including an electronic seal ID (the electronic seal ID included in the wake-up signal) or is non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic seal ID). Further, the response signal may also comprise an ID of the electronic lock itself. For example, the electronic lock may issue a non-targeted response (null, lock_ID_optional, response_to_wake_up), or may issue a targeted response (IDk, lock_ID_optional, response_to_wake_up).

[0091] If the electronic seal cannot receive a response from the electronic lock, it determines that the electronic lock cannot be activated correctly, which may cause an association failure. In this case, the electronic seal IDk does not send an acknowledgment.

[0092] Note that, the given order in the flowchart of Fig. 6 does not necessarily mean a temporal order. For example, operations S621 and S623 may be carried out before, after or in parallel with operations S601-S609.

[0093] Herein, the electronic lock may further determine a relative position of the electronic seal based on a signal received from the electronic seal, for example, the wake-up signal sent at operation S621. This locating operation may be carried out using, for example, a 3D antenna based on RSSI. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, take no account of power consumption, a locating device such as GPS may be provided in the electronic seal, so that the electronic seal may notify the electronic lock of its position.

[0094] After a successful association (particularly, after the electronic lock receives acknowledgments from various electronic seals ID1...IDn), the electronic lock may indicate this success in association to an external device (e.g., a handheld device). Therefore, an operator may be aware, for example from the handheld device, that the sealing operation has been carried out successfully, and allow the transportation of the container. Further, the electronic lock may also notify this successful sealing to a management center through its communication unit, so that the management center may perform remote control. Further, the electronic lock may report the current state of the electronic seals to the management center (for example, the state locked at operation S609 and positions of the electronic seals relative to the electronic lock).

[0095] After successful sealing, the electronic lock and/or the electronic seals may enter into a sleep state (with some necessary components such as their state sensors activated).

[0096] Fig. 7 schematically shows a flow chart of in-transit control process according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 7, the in-transit control process comprises: at operation S701, the electronic lock sends, at predetermined time such as periodically, a wake-up signal to associated electronic seals. As described above, this wake-up signal may be targeted (for example, it includes an electronic seal ID) or is non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic seal ID). Further, this wake-up signal may also comprise an ID of the electronic lock itself. As described above, this wake-up signal may be (null, lock_ID_optional, wake_up) or ([ID1, ID2...IDk...IDn], lock_ID_optional, wake_up) or (ID1, lock_ID_optional, wake_up), (ID2, lock_ID_optional, wake_up)... (Dk, lock_ID_optional, wake_up)... (IDn, lock_ID_optional, wake_up).

[0098] Then, at operation S703, in response to receiving this wake-up signal (for example, through a passive-activation communication module), an electronic seal is awakened and determines its state through detecting sense results of its various state sensors, for example.

[0099] Then, at operation S705, the electronic seal may send state data indicating its state to the electronic lock (for example, through its data communication module). This state data may be targeted (for example, it includes an electronic lock ID) or non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic lock ID). Further, the state data may also comprise an ID of the electronic seal. For example, the electronic seal IDk may send state data (null, IDk_optional, current_status) or (lock_ID, IDk _optional, current_status). After sending the state data, the electronic seal may enter into the sleep state again.

[0100] The electronic lock may determine, according to the received state data, whether a corresponding electronic seal is in a "normal" state, and may report an "exception" to the management center if an "abnormal" state has been detected. Alternatively, the electronic lock may simply send the received state data of an electronic seal to the management center, and the management center is responsible to determine whether the state of an electronic seal is "normal".

[0101] If the electronic lock does not receive state data of an electronic seal, it may repeat the process of sending a wake-up signal and waiting to receive state data described above predetermined times. If no state data is received, it is considered that an exception occurs at a corresponding electronic seal and a report is sent to the management center.

[0102] Herein, the electronic lock may further determine a relative position of an electronic seal based on a signal received from the electronic seal, for example, the state data described above. As described above, this locating operation may be carried out using, for example, a 3D antenna based on RSSI. If the relative position of an electronic seal has a change going beyond a predetermined threshold value, it is considered that an exception occurs at that electronic seal and a report is sent to the management center.

[0103] After that, the electronic lock may enter into a sleep state.

[0104] An example in which the electronic lock activates an electronic seal to query its state has been described above. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic seal may be awakened at predetermined time such as periodically, to check its state and send state data to the electronic lock. In this case, the electronic seal may issue a wake-up signal to the electronic lock (for example, through its active activation communication module) to awake the electronic lock, so that the electronic lock may receive state data sent from the electronic seal.

[0105] Fig. 8 schematically shows a flow chart of a process carried out when an abnormal state is detected by an electronic seal according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 8, at operation S8011, when an electronic seal such as IDk (particularly, its control unit) detects an abnormal state (e.g., the state of its seal-tearing sensor has changed) based on its activated state sensors (e.g., its seal-tearing sensor), the electronic seal IDk may be awakened from the sleep state. Upon being awakened, the electronic seal IDk may activate all of its functions (for example, it may activate all of its state sensors and communication unit, so that the control unit is in a high power consumption mode).

[0107] At operation S803, the electronic seal IDk may send a wake-up signal to its associated electronic lock to awake the electronic lock. As described above, this wake-up signal may be targeted (for example, it includes an electronic lock ID) or non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic lock ID). Further, the wake-up signal may also comprise an ID of the electronic seal itself. As described above, this wake-up signal may be (null, IDk_optional, wake_up) or (lock_ID_optional, IDk_optional, wake_up). After receiving the wake-up signal sent from an associated electronic seal, the electronic lock may be awakened from the sleep state.

[0108] After being awakened, the electronic lock may send, at operation S805, a state query instruction to the electronic seal IDk. This state query instruction may be targeted (for example, it includes an ID of an electronic seal to be queried) or non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic seal ID). Further, the state query instruction may also comprise an ID of the electronic lock. For example, this state query instruction may be in the form of (null, lock_ID_optional, instruction_to_check_status) or (IDk, lock_ID_optional, instruction_to_check_status). In the case of a non-targeted state query instruction, unawakened electronic seals do not respond to this instruction, because they are still in the sleep state and do not receive a wake-up signal from the electronic lock.

[0109] In response to the state query instruction from the associated electronic lock, at operation S807, the electronic seal IDk checks its state. For example, the electronic seal IDk may check its state using one or more of its state sensors (particularly, its seal-tearing sensor) that are activated upon the wakeup of IDk.

[0110] Alternatively, the electronic seal IDk may spontaneously check its state without waiting for a state query instruction from the electronic lock.

[0111] At operation S809, the electronic seal IDk may send its detected state to the associated electronic lock. As described above, this state data may be targeted (for example, it includes an electronic lock ID) or non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic lock ID). Further, the state data may also comprise an ID of the electronic seal. As described above, this state data may be in the form of (null, IDk _optional, current_status) or (lock_ID, IDk _optional, current_status). In the case of querying each electronic seal one by one, the state data may not include an electronic seal ID, because the electronic lock may be aware which one is being queried from previous communications.

[0112] After receiving the state data, the electronic lock may report to the management center (for example, through GPRS). This report may include an electronic seal ID and state information.

[0113] After a period of time, S805-S809 may be repeated. After several times of such query, the electronic lock may enter into a sleep state. After a period during which no information (for example, the state query instruction described above) is received from the electronic lock, or after predetermined times of spontaneous state checking and the transmission of its state detected, the electronic seal may enter into a sleep state.

[0114] After the sealed object has arrived at its destination, it may be unsealed. Fig. 9 schematically shows a flow chart of an unsealing process according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 9, an unsealing instruction may be inputted into the electronic lock (for example, through a handheld device). After the unsealing instruction has been received, an unsealing process 900 begins.

[0116] Particularly, at operation S901, in response to an unlocking instruction, an electronic lock may issue an association release instruction to associated electronic seals (ID1...IDn). This association release instruction may be targeted (for example, it includes an electronic seal ID) or non-targeted (for example, it does not include an electronic seal ID). Further, this association release instruction may also comprise an ID of the electronic lock. For example, the electronic lock may issue a non-targeted association unlocking instruction (null, lock_ID_optional, association_release) or a targeted association unlocking instruction ([ID1, ID2, ···, IDk··· IDn], lock_ID_optional, association_release), or may issue targeted association unlocking instructions (ID1, lock_ID_optional, association_release), (ID2, lock_ID_optional, association_release) ···(IDk, lock_ID_optional, association_release) ··· (IDn, lock_ID_optional, association_release) to various electronic seals respectively.

[0117] Further, in response to the unlocking instruction, the electronic lock may be reset at operation S903. For example, the reset operation may comprise removing information of associated electronic seals, for example, deregistering IDs of associated electronic seals.

[0118] At operation S905, in response to receiving an association release instruction, an electronic seal may be reset. For example, the reset operation may comprise cleaning the locked reference state.

[0119] As described above, electronic seals are used in association with an electronic lock. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, electronic seals may be used separately, or may be directly controlled by a management center. In the case of control of a management center, the management center has a role of the electronic lock described above (i.e., an "external device"), which may interact with electronic seals as described above, and will not be described herein.

[0120] Further, in the embodiment described above, a communication unit is provided in the electronic seal. It may benefit in-transit control. In some simplified embodiments, no communication unit is provided. For example, an electronic seal may have an alarm device (for example, a buzzer or a light emitting device), which may directly raise a sound or light alarm when an abnormal state is detected.

[0121] Embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. However, these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not limitation to the scope of this disclosure. Although various embodiments have been described above respectively, it does not mean exclusion of advantageous use of combinations of measures disclosed in these embodiments. The present invention should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Many substitutions or modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, all of which fall within the scope of the disclosed invention.

Claims

1. An electronic seal capable of being removably attached to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed, comprising:

a seal-tearing sensor configured to have different states when the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed and when the electronic seal is not attached to the object to be sealed;

a control unit configured to determine the state of the electronic seal at least partially based on the state of the seal-tearing senor; and

a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device to send state data of the electronic seal.

2. The electronic seal according to claim 1, wherein the electronic seal further comprising:

a fixing component for removably attaching the electronic seal to the object to be sealed;

the seal-tearing sensor for detecting whether the fixing component is attached to the object to be sealed, outputting different states when the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed and when the electronic seal is not attached to the object to be sealed.

3. The electronic seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal-tearing sensor comprises a Hall sensor;
The electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed with a magnet matching the Hall sensor;

4. The electronic seal according to claim 1, wherein the electronic seal is awoken in response to a wake-up signal received from an external device, or is awoken in response to an abnormal state of the electronic seal.

5. The electronic seal according to claim 4, wherein the communication unit comprises:

a passive-activation communication module configured to receive the wake-up signal from the external device, always being in an activated state upon the electronic seal is powered on;

an active-activation communication module configured to be awoken in response to an abnormal state of the electronic seal to send a wake-up signal to the external device; and

a data communication module configured to exchange data with the external device and to be awoken in response to the wakeup of the electronic seal to send state data of the electronic seal.

6. The electronic seal according to claim 1, wherein the electronic seal is configured to be used in association with the external device, wherein the control unit is configured to, upon being powered on, control to perform a following initialization process to associate the external device with the external device:

receiving a wake-up signal from the external device;

in response to the wake-up signal, sending ID information of the electronic seal to the external device;

receiving an association-locking instruction from the external device; and

in responsive to the association-locking instruction, sending an acknowledgment to the external device.

7. The electronic seal according to claim 6, wherein a state of the electronic seal at the end of the initialization process is set as a reference state of the electronic seal;
or, the electronic seal is configured to, in response to an association-unlocking instruction received from the associated external device, unlock the association with the external device;
or, the initialization process further comprises:

sending a wake-up signal to the external device; and

receiving a response to the wake-up signal from the external device,

wherein if no response is received from the external device, no acknowledgment is sent.

8. The electronic seal according to claim 1, further comprising:

a seal housing; and

a breakage-preventing sensor for detecting whether the housing has been broken off, wherein the control unit is further configured to determine the state of the electronic seal based on the state of the breakage-preventing sensor.

9. The electronic seal according to claim 8, wherein the breakage-preventing sensor comprises at least one of a light sensor and a magnetic sensor.

10. The electronic seal according to claim 8, further comprising at least one of a first electronic tag disposed on the housing and a second electronic tag disposed within the housing;
wherein the first electronic tag is a passive tag and the second electronic tag is an active tag
or, further comprising ID information printed on the seal housing.

11. The electronic seal according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit performs an encrypted communication;
or, further comprising:

a power supply for supplying power to components included in the electronic seal;

a pressure switch configured to enable power supplying when the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed; and

an electronic switch connected in parallel with the pressure switch and configured to retain switch-on as sealing.

12. The electronic seal according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing component for attaching the electronic seal to the object to be sealed through magnetic attaching.

13. The electronic seal according to claim 1, wherein
the object to be sealed is a container,
the electronic seal is attached between corresponding doors of the container or is attached at a hinging portion of a door.

14. An electronic lock, comprising:

a communication unit configured to communicate with an electronic seal; and

a control unit configured to determine the state of the electronic seal based on electronic seal state data received from the electronic seal through the communication unit, and when the state of the electronic seal is abnormal, report an exception to a management center through the communication unit.

15. The electronic lock according to claim 14, wherein
the communication unit comprises a 3D antenna, so that the control unit can determine a location of the electronic seal based on the strength of a signal received from the electronic seal,
the control unit is configured to, when it is determined that the electronic seal has moved by an amount larger than a predetermined threshold value, report an exception to the management center through the communication unit.

16. The electronic lock according to claim 14, wherein the communication unit is configured to periodically transmit a wake-up signal to the electronic seal and receive electronic seal state data sent by the electronic seal in response to the wake-up signal;
the communication unit is configured to, when no state data is received from the electronic seal, repeat predetermined times the attempt of transmitting the wake-up signal and waiting to receive state data of the electronic seal,
the control unit is configured to, if no state data is received after the predetermined times of attempt, report an exception to the management center through the communication unit.

17. The electronic lock according to claim 14, wherein the electronic lock is configured to be awoken in response to a wake-up signal received from the electronic seal, and receive state data of the electronic seal from the electronic seal through the communication unit.

18. The electronic lock according to claim 17, wherein the communication unit is further configured to query the number of the predetermined times of the electronic seal.

19. The electronic lock according to claim 14, wherein the control unit is configured to, upon being powered on, control to perform the following initialization process to associate the electronic lock with an electronic seal:

receiving ID information of the electronic seal to be associated that is inputted from outside;

sending out a wake-up signal;

receiving ID information of the electronic seal sent by the electronic seal in response to the wake-up signal;

sending an association-locking instruction to the electronic seal if the input ID information is identical to the received ID information.

20. The electronic lock according to claim 19, wherein the control unit is configured to, when receiving an unlocking instruction, send an association-unlocking instruction to the electronic seal through the communication unit;
or, wherein the initialization process further comprises:

receiving a wake-up signal from the electronic seal; and

sending the electronic seal a response to the wake-up signal.

21. The electronic lock according to claim 14, wherein the electronic lock is a customs lock and is used for containers;
the electronic lock is configured to be used in association with a plurality of electronic seals.

22. An electronic seal, comprising:

a fixing component for removably attaching the electronic seal to an object to be sealed;

a seal-tearing sensor configured to detect the attachment state of the electronic seal and the object to be sealed;

a control unit configured to determine the state of the electronic seal based on the state of the seal-tearing senor.

23. The electronic seal according to claim 22, wherein the fixing component is a magnetic connector for being magnetically removably attached to an object to be sealed;
the seal-tearing sensor comprises a Hall sensor; and
a control unit for determining the state of the electronic seal at least partially based on the state of the Hall sensor.

24. An implementation method of electronic seal, comprising:

attaching the electronic seal to an exterior surface of an object to be sealed;

detecting whether the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed through a sensor, if the electronic seal is attached to the object to be sealed, an attachment state is outputted by the sensor, if the electronic seal is separate from the object to be sealed, a remove state is outputted by the sensor;

determining the state of the electronic seal based on the output state of the sensor.

Drawing