ENVIRONMENT AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THEREOF TO CONTROL ACCESS TO THE CLOSED ENVIRONMENT

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic lock for an access door to a closed environment (for example, a goods transport container or a trailer) and electronic system to control access to the closed environment thereof.

PRIOR ART

In the field of goods transport inside containers for ships and trains or goods transport inside trailers for lorries, there is an important need to enhance the quality of the transport environment, especially in the case of perishable goods or those with a high technological value.

There is also an important need to control access to the goods placed inside the container or trailer, in particular at the unloading point of the goods (for example, customs) with automated terminals for the same.

Lastly, there is an important need to be able to track the movement of the goods inside the container or trailer during the journey, and to improve the management of the container or trailer's logistics when it arrives at the point for unloading the goods.

WO 2007/126299 discloses a digital door 100 or 200 that comprises internally a mechanism 235 to lock/unlock the opening of the door 100/ 200, a motor 233 that allows the movement of the lock/unlock mechanism, a communication unit 140 which radio connects the door 100/200 with a network and a controller 180 which controls the lock/unlock mechanism and the communication unit 140.

The door 200 comprises a sensor 160 (see Fig. 3) or 271/273 (see Fig.18- 19) which can detect the presence of fire/smoke, wherein said sensor is positioned on the door 200 on the lower side external to the environment associated with the door 200.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic lock as defined in the enclosed claim 1 and by its preferred embodiments disclosed in the dependent claims 2 to 8.

The Applicant has perceived that the electronic lock system according to the present invention has the following advantages:

it allows monitoring of the status of the environment inside the goods transport container or trailer, without requiring the opening of the container or trailer;

it allows controlling access to the goods placed inside the container or trailer;

it allows tracking the goods during their journey inside the container or trailer;

it allows improving the logistics management of the container or trailer when it reaches its destination.

It is also an object of the present invention a closed environment, for example a container, as defined in the enclosed claim 9.

It is also an object of the present invention an electronic system to control access to a closed environment, wherein the electronic access control system is defined in the enclosed claim 10 and by preferred embodiments described in the dependent claims 1 1 and 12.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description which follows of a preferred embodiment and the variants thereof, provided by way of example with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an electronic system for controlling access to goods placed inside a closed environment according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an electronic lock used in the electronic system of Figure 1 according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a container for shipping goods having an access door on which four electronic locks are mounted according to the invention; Figures 4A-4B show two perspective views of the closed casing of the electronic lock of the invention;

Figures 5A-5B show two perspective views of some components inside the casing of the electronic lock of the invention, when this is in the open position;

Figures 6A-6B show a view from the front and bottom of some components inside the casing of the electronic lock of the invention, when this is in the open position;

Figures 7A-B show a perspective and front view of some components inside the casing of the electronic lock of the invention, when this is in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be observed that in the following description, identical or analogous blocks, components or modules are indicated in the figures with the same numerical references even where they are illustrated in different embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the electronic system 1 for controlling access to the goods 12 placed inside the closed environment 10.

For the purposes of explaining the invention, it is assumed hereinafter that the closed environment 10 is a container for the transport of goods by ship or train, but the invention is also applicable to other types of closed environments for the transport of goods, such as for example the trailer of a lorry.

The electronic system 1 for controlling access comprises:

an electronic lock 2;

an electronic device 3;

a network element 5 of a telecommunications network 4.

The electronic lock 2 is firmly fixed (for example by means of fastening screws) to a door 1 1 to access the container 10 and has the function of locking or unlocking the opening of the door 1 1 for access inside the container 10, as a function of the value of a received wireless signal, as it will be explained in more detail below.

The electronic lock 2 comprises one or more sensors having the function of monitoring the status of the environment inside the container 10, as it will be explained in more detail below. The electronic lock 2 is a linear actuator, i.e. an electro-mechanical device that transforms the rotary motion of an electric motor into the linear motion of one or more pistons having the function of locking/unlocking the opening of the door 1 1 , as it will be explained in more detail below.

Figure 3 shows the electronic lock 2 mounted on the access door 1 1 of the container 10 and shows three further electronic locks 102, 202, 302 formed similar to the lock 2 and also mounted on the access door of the container 10, wherein the access door 1 1 is composed of a right door 1 1 a and a left door 1 1 b.

In particular:

the electronic lock 2 is mounted on the left door 1 1 b in the upper position, such that when the pistons of the electronic lock 2 are extended, they are such to be inserted inside suitable mating portions of the upper frame of the left door 1 1 b;

the electronic lock 202 is mounted on the left door 1 1 b in the lower position, so that when the pistons of the electronic lock 202 are extended, they are such to be inserted inside suitable mating portions of the lower frame of the left door 1 1 b;

the electronic lock 102 is mounted on the right door 1 1 a in the upper position, such that when the pistons of the electronic lock 102 are extended, they are such to be inserted inside suitable mating portions of the upper frame of the right door 1 1 a;

the electronic lock 302 is mounted on the right door 1 1 a in the lower position, such that when the pistons of the electronic lock 302 are extended, they are such to be inserted inside suitable mating portions of the lower frame of the right door 1 1 a;

The telecommunications network 4 has the function of connecting the electronic device 3 with the electronic lock 2, by means of the network element 5.

The telecommunications network 4 can be of the fixed type (for example, Internet), mobile (for example, 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G mobile radio) or a combination of fixed and mobile.

The network element 5 has the function of executing a software program indicated hereinafter with "server program".

The network element 5 is for example a computer server. The set of three software programs executed on the electronic device 3, on the network element 5 and on the electronic lock 2, respectively, have the function of controlling access to the goods placed inside the container 10, and preferably also the function of tracking the movement of the goods during their journey inside the container 10, as will be explained in more detail below.

The electronic device 3 has the function of generating a request for opening or closing the electronic lock 2, by means of a software program running on a processing unit of the electronic device 3 and by means of the transmission towards the electronic lock 2 of a long-distance signal SJd and/or a short- distance wireless signal S_w_sd.

The electronic device 3 can be of the fixed type, such as for example a fixed personal computer: in this case, the long-distance signal SJd transmitted by the electronic device 3 is of the fixed type.

Alternatively, the electronic device 3 is of the mobile type, such as a smartphone or a tablet, which can transmit both a long-distance wireless signal SJd (for example 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G mobile radio) towards the electronic lock 2 through the network element 5, and a short-distance wireless signal S_w_sd to the electronic lock 2 in order to control the opening and closing of the electronic lock 2.

Alternatively, the electronic device 3 is a portable personal computer, which can transmit both a long-distance signal SJd towards the electronic lock 2 through the network element 5, and a short-distance radio signal S_w_sd to the electronic lock 2 in order to control the opening and closing of the electronic lock 2.

With reference to Figure 2, a block diagram of the electronic lock 2 is shown in greater detail, which comprises:

a battery 2-5;

a processing unit 2-1 ;

a transceiver 2-2 of long-distance wireless signals;

a transceiver 2-3 of short-distance wireless signals;

one or more integrated sensors 2-10, 2-1 1 , 2-12, 2-15, 2-16, 2-17, 2-20; a communication bus 2-14;

a screen 2-6;

a first electric motor 2-32; a first driving circuit 2-30;

a driving unit 2-40 configured to lock and unlock the opening of the access door 1 1.

The electronic lock 2 thus comprises mechanical components enclosed in the driving unit 2-40 and comprises various electronic components that are mounted for example on a printed circuit board.

The battery 2-5 has the function of generating a continuous voltage signal of the internal battery V _baU to supply the electronic components inside the lock 2, such as for example the processing unit 2-1 , the integrated sensors, the transceivers 2-2, 2-3, the first electric motor 2-32 and the first driving circuit 2-30.

For example, the battery 2-5 is of the LIPO type composed of three cells connected in series, such to generate (at the terminals of the series of the three cells) an internal battery voltage V _baU having a value equal to 1 1.1 volts.

The long-distance wireless signal transceiver 2-2 is electrically connected to the processing unit 2-1 and has the function of receiving a long-distance wireless signal S_w_ld carrying a request for locking or unlocking the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10, then it forwards said lock/unlock request to the processing unit 2-1 as the first internal signal S_int_LD; moreover, the transceiver 2-2 has the function of transmitting the wireless long-distance signal S_w_ld carrying the status detected by integrated sensors inside the closed environment.

The long-distance wireless signal S_w_ld is for example of the 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G mobile radio type.

The short-distance wireless signal transceiver 2-3 is electrically connected to the processing unit 2-1 and has the function of receiving a short-distance wireless signal S_w_sd carrying a request for locking or unlocking the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10, then it forwards the lock/unlock request to the processing unit as a second internal signal S_int_sd; moreover, the transceiver 2-3 has the function of transmitting the short-distance wireless signal S_w_sd carrying the status detected by integrated sensors inside the closed environment.

The short-distance wireless signals are for example of the Bluetooth or WiFi type. The processing unit 2-1 is electrically connected to the transceivers 2-2, 2-3, to the one or more sensors integrated by means of the communication bus 2-14, to the first and second driving circuits 2-30, 2-31.

The processing unit 2-1 is for example a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device or a specific integrated circuit.

The processing unit 2-1 executes a software program and has the function of driving the first electric motor 2-32 (which in turn controls the movement of the driving unit 2-40) in order to lock or unlock the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10, as a function of the lock/unlock request received by means of the long-distance wireless signal transceiver 2-2 or by means of the short-distance wireless signal transceiver 2-3 and possibly as a function of a verification of authorisation to unlock the lock 2.

For example, the verification of authorisation can be a verification of the identity of the user of the electronic device 3, such as for example the verification of the IMEI of a smartphone 3.

Another example is that in which port or terminal authorities prevent the withdrawal of the goods from the container 10 because there is a health emergency, or for reasons of public order, or in the case of an administrative inquiry: also in this case, the processing unit 2-1 drives the first electric motor 2- 32 so as to lock the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10, by means of the control of the movement of the driving unit 2-40 by the first electric motor 2- 32.

Each integrated sensor has an active area oriented towards the inside of the container 10 and has the function of detecting the respective status inside the container 10, such as for example the temperature/humidity/pressure inside the container 10, the quality of the air inside the container 10, thermal images of the environment inside the container 10 in order to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10 and/or the presence of unauthorised personnel inside the container 10.

The integrated sensors are electrically connected to the processing unit 2- 1 by means of the communication bus 2-14, for example of the I2C type.

The use of one or more integrated sensors oriented towards the inside of the container 10 makes it possible to detect and display on the screen 2-6 the status of the environment inside the container 10 without requiring the opening of the door 1 1 : in this way, it is possible to detect from the outside of the closed container 10 the presence of toxic chemical substances or fire/smoke inside the container 10 and eventually control the processing unit 2-1 to lock (at least temporarily) the opening of the door 1 1.

Therefore the personnel responsible for unloading the goods 12 from the container 10 is warned of the presence of toxic chemical substances or fire/smoke inside the container 10 before opening the door of the container 10, thereby avoiding that the personnel responsible for unloading the goods 12 opens the access door 1 1 without first having taken appropriate countermeasures due to the presence of toxic chemical substances or fire/smoke in the container 10.

Moreover, the presence of integrated sensors and the processing unit 2-1 makes it possible to display suitable alarm messages on the screen 2-6 in the event of a danger situation for the entire container 10, for example in the case where the value of the signal detected by the sensor exceeds a defined threshold value.

According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 comprises at least one sensor for detecting the temperature and/or humidity and/or the ambient pressure inside the container 10: in this case the screen 2-6 is such to display a value representative of the temperature and/or humidity and/or pressure detected inside the container 10.

Advantageously, the sensor used is BME280 produced by Bosch, which is a single electronic device 2-20 capable of detecting the temperature, humidity and pressure values in the environment surrounding the sensor itself, i.e. in the environment inside the container 10.

The screen 2-6 has the function of displaying the status of the environment inside the container 10 detected by means of the integrated sensors 2-10, 2-1 1 , 2-12, 2-15, 2-16, 2-20.

The screen 2-6 can be directly connected to the integrated sensors, or can be connected to the processing unit 2-1 , which transmits the information to be displayed on the screen 2-6 to the same.

The information of the status of the internal environment detected by means of the integrated sensors and displayed on the screen 2-6 can be for example the following: the temperature inside the container 10;

the humidity inside the container 10;

the pressure inside the container 10;

the air quality inside the container 10;

Furthermore, the screen 2-6 has the function of displaying alarm messages (past and present) generated in the detection of a danger status inside the container 10 or in the case of detection of the presence of unauthorised persons inside the container 10, as will be explained in more detail below.

Advantageously, the information relating to the status of the environment inside the container 10 detected by means of the integrated sensors and alarm messages is also displayed on the screen of the electronic device 3: in this way it is possible to remotely detect a danger status inside the container 10 and/or the presence of unauthorised persons inside the container 10.

Preferably, the screen 2-6 is further configured to display the following information:

to display the credentials and the type of user (administrator or end user) authorised to open the lock 2;

to display an opening code transmitted remotely to allow a user to electrically open the lock 2;

to display the charge status of the internal battery 2-5;

to display the status of the integrated sensors (i.e. if functioning or failures);

to display the configuration parameters of the lock 2.

Preferably, the screen 2-6 is integrated with the processing unit 2-1 in order to reduce the occupation of space and optimise energy consumption.

Advantageously, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, the processing unit 2-1 has the further function of driving the first electric motor 2-32 in order to lock or unlock the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10 (by means of the control of the movement of the driving unit 2-40 by the first electric motor 2-32), taking the status inside the container 10 detected by one or more integrated sensors further into account.

In particular, the processing unit 2-1 is such to receive from one or more sensors the respective status detected inside the closed environment and identify the presence of a danger status inside the closed environment (for example the presence of toxic chemical substances or fire/smoke), such to generate an alarm message indicating a danger status inside the closed environment, such to generate a driving signal S_Drv_dp of the screen 2-6 to display said alarm message and is such to drive the first electric motor 2-32 (which in turn controls the driving unit 2-40) in such a way as to lock the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10: in this way the safety of the personnel responsible for unloading the goods placed inside the container 10 is improved.

Advantageously, according to this embodiment of the invention the screen 2-6 is further configured to display a warning message indicating the danger status inside the container 10.

The alarm message can be of a graphical type (for example, a flashing red or yellow light) or textual type (for example, a numerical value representing the value of the signal detected).

Preferably, according to this embodiment the long-distance 2-2 (or short- distance 2-3) transceiver is further configured to receive said alarm message from the processing unit 2-1 indicating the danger situation inside the container 10, and finally the long-distance 2-2 (or short-distance 2-3) transceiver is configured to transmit the long-distance wireless signal S_w_ld (or short-distance S_w_sd) carrying said alarm message indicating the danger situation inside the container 10: in this way it is possible to transmit the danger situation inside the container 10 to the electronic device 3, so that it is possible to take the appropriate measures.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the lock 2 comprises an air quality sensor 2-1 1 having an active area 2-1 1 a oriented towards the inside of the container 10 and having the function of monitoring the quality of the air inside the container 10.

For example, the air quality sensor 2-1 1 is such to detect the presence of toxic chemicals inside the container 10, or the presence of fine dust.

In this example, the screen 2-6 is such to display information representative of the presence of toxic chemical substances inside the container 10.

Furthermore, the processing unit 2-1 is such to receive the signal S_Q detected by the air quality sensor 2-1 1 indicating the presence of toxic chemical substances inside the container 10, it is such to ensure that the detected value of the concentration is high (for example, greater than a defined threshold value), it is such to generate an alarm message indicating a high concentration of toxic chemical substances inside the container 10, it is such to generate the driving signal S_Drv_dp of the screen 2-6 to display said alarm message indicating a high concentration of toxic chemical substances inside the container 10 (for example, screen 2-6 displays a flashing red colour), then the processing unit 2-1 drives the first electric motor 2-32 in such a way as to lock (at least temporarily) the opening of the access door 1 1 , by means of the control of the movement of the driving unit 2-40 by the first electric motor 2-32: in this way, the personnel responsible for unloading the goods will avoid opening the access door 1 1 without first having taken appropriate countermeasures (for example, the use of protective breathing masks, eventually in the presence of safety staff) due to the presence of toxic chemical substances.

Preferably, according to this embodiment the long-distance 2-2 (or short- distance 2-3) transceiver is further configured to receive said alarm message from the processing unit 2-1 indicating the high concentration of toxic chemical substances inside the container 10, and finally the long-distance 2-2 (or short- distance 2-3) transceiver is configured to transmit the long-distance wireless signal S_w_ld (or short-distance S_w_sd) carrying said alarm message indicating a high concentration of toxic chemical substances inside the container 10: in this way it is possible to transmit the high concentration of toxic chemical substances inside the container 10 to the electronic device 3, so that it is possible to take the appropriate measures.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 comprises an infrared optical sensor 2-10 having an active area 2-10a oriented towards the inside of the container 10 and having the function of acquiring the thermal images of the space inside the container 10.

The infrared sensor 2-10 can be used both to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10 (fire), and to detect the presence of unauthorised personnel inside the container 10 (intrusion).

In the case wherein the infrared sensor 2-10 is used to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10, the processing unit 2-1 is configured to receive the signal SJR from the infrared sensor 2-10 representative of a plurality of thermal images of the space inside the container 10, is configured to process said plurality of thermal images to verify the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10, is configured to identify that the quantity of fire/smoke is high, is configured to generate an alarm message indicating a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10, is configured to generate the driving signal S_Drv_dp of the screen 2-6 to display said alarm message indicating a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10 (for example, the screen 2-6 displays a flashing red colour), thus the processing unit 2-1 is configured to drive the first electric motor 2-32 such to lock (at least temporarily) the opening of the access door 1 1 , by means of the control of the movement of the driving unit 2-40 by the first electric motor 2-32: in this way the personnel responsible for unloading the goods avoids opening the access door 1 1 without first having taken appropriate countermeasures (for example, wear fireproof overalls and use hydrants) due to the presence of a high amount of fire/smoke.

Preferably, according to this embodiment the long-distance 2-2 (or short- distance 2-3) transceiver is further configured to receive said alarm message from the processing unit 2-1 indicating the presence of a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10, and finally the long-distance 2-2 (or short- distance 2-3) transceiver is configured to generate the long-distance wireless signal S_w_ld (or short-distance S_w_sd) carrying said alarm message indicating the presence of a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10: in this way it is possible to transmit the presence of a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10 to the electronic device 3, so that it is possible to take the appropriate measures.

The infrared sensor 2-10 used is for example the component MLX90621 manufactured by Melexis (www.melexis.com), which comprises 64 infrared sensors arranged in a 16x4 matrix, thereby acquiring a thermal image formed by pixels of the size 16x4.

In this case the processing unit 2-1 receives (by means of the infrared sensor 2-10) a thermal image composed of a 16x4 matrix of thermal measurements of the environment inside the container 10, wherein each pixel of the matrix represents the thermal temperature of a respective area of the environment inside the container 10. The processing unit 2-1 analyses the matrix of thermal measurements and identifies, as a function of these, zones with thermal temperature values that are greater than a sufficiently high defined threshold, chosen such that this value is indicative of the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10.

The above considerations relating to the infrared sensors 2-10 used to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10 are similarly applicable to the case wherein the infrared sensor 2-10 is used to detect the presence of unauthorised personnel inside the container 10, with the difference that the thermal temperature threshold value detected is different, above which the processing unit 2-1 identifies the presence of living beings and is able to discriminate the presence of human beings from the presence of the objects constituting the goods.

The thermal temperature threshold value used to detect the presence of human beings is much lower than the threshold value used to detect the presence of fire/smoke, and at the same time it is greater than the thermal temperature value detected for the goods themselves.

In particular, when the infrared sensor 2-10 is used to detect the presence of human beings inside the container 10, the processing unit 2-1 is configured to: receive the signal SJR from an infrared sensor 2-10 representative of a plurality of thermal images of the space inside the container 10;

process said plurality of thermal images to verify the presence of human beings inside the container 10;

identify, as a function of the plurality of thermal images detected, the presence of human beings;

eventually detect the locked status of the access door 1 1 ;

generate an alarm message indicating access to the container 10 by unauthorised personnel;

generate the driving signal S_Drv_dp for the screen 2-6 to display an alarm message indicating the presence of unauthorised persons inside the container 10.

Moreover, the long-distance 2-2 (or short-distance 2-3) transceiver is configured to receive said alarm message from the processing unit 2-1 and generate therefrom a wireless long-distance S_w_ld (or short-distance S_w_sd) signal carrying said alarm message of unauthorised access to the container 10. In the examples illustrated above relating to the use of the air quality sensor 2-1 1 and infrared sensor 2-10, after the lock 2 has locked the opening of the access door 1 1 following the danger status detected by means of the air quality sensor 2-1 1 or infrared sensor 2-10, the lock 2 is commanded to unlock the opening of the access door 1 1 after having received special authorisation to unlock from specialised personnel (for example, fire brigade or anti-pollution teams): an unlock request is transmitted by an electronic device 3 (for example, a smartphone, tablet or personal computer) of the specialised personnel, then the wireless signal transceiver (2-2 or 2-3) of the lock 2 receives said unlock request, after which the processing unit 2-1 verifies that the unlock request is representative of said special permission, finally the processing unit 2-1 drives the electric motor so as to unlock the opening of the access door 1 1 , by means of the control of the movement of the driving unit 2-40 by the first electric motor 2- 32.

Preferably, according to a possible embodiment of the invention the electronic lock 2 further comprises an integrated light sensor 2-15 (of the infrared or ultra-violet type) configured to generate a signal S_L representative of the light intensity inside the container 10.

In this case the screen 2-6 is further configured to display the information representative of the light intensity detected inside the container 10.

Moreover, the processing unit 2-1 is further configured to:

receive the signal S_L indicating the light intensity inside the container 10; detect a significant variation of the light intensity in at least part of the space inside the container 10;

eventually detect the locked status of the access door;

generate an alarm message indicating access to the container 10 by unauthorised personnel;

generate the driving signal S_Drv_dp to display said alarm message on the screen 2-6 indicating unauthorised access to the container 10.

Moreover, the long-distance 2-2 (or short-distance 2-3) transceiver is further configured to receive said alarm message from the processing unit 2-1 and generate therefrom a wireless long-distance S_w_ld (or short-distance S_w_sd) signal carrying said alarm message of unauthorised access to the container 10. According to a possible embodiment of the invention, a combination of infrared sensors 2-10 and light sensors 2-15 is used to detect the presence of unauthorised personnel inside the container 10 (anti-intrusion), so as to reduce the risk of detecting false alarms.

In this embodiment the processing unit 2-1 is configured to:

receive the signal SJR from an infrared sensor 2-10 representative of a plurality of thermal images of the space inside the container 10;

receive the signal S_L from the light sensor 2-15 indicating the light intensity inside the container 10;

process the plurality of thermal images received;

identify, as a function of the plurality of thermal images processed, the presence of human beings and also detect a significant variation of the light intensity in at least part of the space inside the container 10;

eventually detect the locked status of the access door;

generate an alarm message indicating access to the container 10 by unauthorised personnel;

generate the driving signal S_Drv_dp to display said alarm message on the screen 2-6 indicating unauthorised access to the container 10.

Moreover, the long-distance 2-2 (or short-distance 2-3) transceiver is configured to receive said alarm message from the processing unit 2-1 and generate therefrom a wireless long-distance S_w_ld (or short-distance S_w_sd) signal carrying said alarm message of unauthorised access to the container 10.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the lock 2 further comprises suitable sensors (for example, a dynamometer) to detect the pressure exerted from the inside of the container 10 on the tailgate of the container 10 itself: in this way it is possible to detect the presence of loads which are resting on the tailgate of the container 10 (for example due to the overturning of the goods during transport) and to detect the presence of obstacles on the tailgate itself, so that the personnel responsible for unloading the goods from the containers 10 will be aware of the presence of excessive pressure on the tailgate of the container 10 and/or obstacles on the tailgate before opening it.

The first driving circuit 2-30 comprises an input terminal electrically connected to the processing unit 2-1 and adapted to receive from the processing unit 2-1 a first driving signal S1_drv indicating an open position or closed position of the electronic lock 2; the first driving circuit 2-30 comprises an output terminal electrically connected to the first electric motor 2-32 and adapted to generate a first driving signal S_M1 to activate the first electric motor 2-32.

The first driving circuit 2-30 has the function of generating appropriate voltage and current values to drive the first electric motor 2-32; in particular, the first driving circuit 2-30 is configured to generate the first driving signal S_M1 to activate the first electric motor 2-32, as a function of the value of the first driving signal S1_drv received by the processing unit 2-1.

Moreover, the first driving circuit 2-30 is such to monitor the operating parameters of the first electric motor 2-32, such as for example the current, voltage, an overload, rotor or step blockage (in the case of a stepper-type motor 2-32).

The first electric motor 2-32 is mechanically coupled with the driving unit 2-40 and has the function of controlling the movement of the mechanical components inside the driving unit 2-40 in order to carry out the mechanical locking or unlocking of the opening of the access door 1 1 , as will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the description of Figures 5A-B, 6A-B, 7A-B.

Advantageously, the first electric motor 2-32 is a stepper-type motor, i.e. it is a synchronous electric motor in pulsed direct current with brushless electronic management that can subdivide its rotation in a large number of steps, wherein the position of the motor can be accurately controlled without requiring a closed- loop control.

The first electric motor 2-32 is mechanically coupled with the driving unit 2-40, by means of its driving shaft.

With reference to Figures 4A, 5A-5B, 6A, 7A-7B, some plan and perspective views of the mechanical components of the electronic lock 2 are shown, in particular the driving unit 2-40.

It should be noted that the dimensions indicated in Figures 6A, 6B, 7B are in millimetres.

The driving unit 2-40 comprises a front block 2-45, a first piston 2-34, a second piston 2-35 and means for converting the rotary motion of the first and second electric motor 2-32, 2-33 into linear movement of the first and second piston 2-34, 2-35. The first and second piston 2-34, 2-35 switch between two positions: an open position wherein the pistons 2-34, 2-35 are positioned inside the casing of the lock 2, as shown in Fig.5A-5B, 6A: this position corresponds to the position wherein the access door 1 1 is unlocked;

a closed position wherein the pistons 2-34, 2-35 extend at least partially outside of the casing of the lock 2, as shown in Fig.7A-7B: in this position the pistons 2-34, 2-35 are positioned inside the corresponding mating portions of the frame of the access door 1 1 and therefore this position corresponds to that wherein the access door 1 1 is locked.

The electronic lock 2 has a casing as shown in Figures 4A-4B, wherein said casing is closed except for two openings which allow the sliding of the first and second piston 2-34, 2-35 at least partially outside of the casing in order to lock the access door 1 1 when this is closed.

The casing of the electronic lock 2 has for example the shape of a parallelepiped having dimensions (see Figures 6A-B) equal to 230 millimetres for the height, 194 millimetres for the width and 55 millimetres in thickness.

Preferably, the means for converting the rotary motion into linear motion are formed (see figures 5A, 5B, 6A, 7A, 7B) with the following components:

an endless screw 2-36 having a nut for example in brass;

a frame 2-37;

a first pulley 2-41 coaxial with the endless screw 2-36 and rigidly coupled thereto;

a second pulley 2-43 rigidly and axially coupled with the shaft of the first electric motor 2-32;

a first belt that connects the first pulley 2-41 of the endless screw 2-36 with the second pulley 2-43 of the first electric motor 2-32.

The frame 2-37 (for example, an aluminium bar) is coupled to the endless screw 2-36 such that a rotation of the endless screw corresponds to a translation of the frame 2-37 itself; moreover, the first and second piston 2-34, 2-35 are firmly coupled (i.e. bound) to the frame 2-37, so that a translation of the frame 2- 37 corresponds to a translation of the first and second piston 2-34, 2-35 to obtain the opening and closing position. Advantageously, according to a possible embodiment of the invention the battery 2-5 is of the rechargeable type and the electronic lock 2 further comprises:

an electric device 2-33;

a second driving circuit 2-31 powered by the battery 2-5.

The electric device 2-33 is mechanically coupled with the driving unit 2- 40, by means of its driving shaft.

Moreover the driving unit 2-40 comprises the means for converting rotary motion into linear motion, which further comprise:

a third pulley 2-42 coaxial with the endless screw 2-36 and rigidly coupled thereto;

a fourth pulley 2-44 rigidly and axially coupled with the shaft of the second electric motor 2-33;

a second belt that connects the third pulley 2-42 of the endless screw 2- 36 with the fourth pulley 2-44 of the second electric motor 2-33.

In this embodiment the electric device 2-33 is working, alternatively, as an electric motor or as an electric generator to recharge the battery 2-5 and therefore the processing unit 2-1 is such to further control the operation of the electric device 2-33 to switch between one operating mode as an electric generator to another operating mode as an electric motor.

In the operating mode as an electrical generator, the processing unit 2-1 drives (by means of the first driving circuit 2-30) the first electric motor 2-32 to control the movement of the driving unit 2-40 to lock/unlock the opening of the access door 1 1 ; at the same time, during the steps of locking or unlocking the opening by the first electric motor 2-32, the electric device 2-33 operates as an electric generator by means of the conversion of mechanical energy generated by the movement of the mechanical components of the driving unit 2-40 (to which the electric device 2-33 is also coupled) into electrical energy, generating a second motor current S_M2. The processing unit 2-1 then receives the second motor current S_M2 and generates therefrom a charging current l_chg that is used to recharge the battery 2-5, thus increasing its duration and therefore increasing the number of opening/closing cycles of the electronic lock 2 that can be carried out without having to replace the battery 2-5 or recharge the battery with an external energy source. Advantageously, during the steps of locking and unlocking the opening of the access door 1 1 by means of the first electric motor 2-32, the electric device 2- 33 operates:

as an electric generator when the value of the mechanical resistance generated by the mechanical components of the driving unit 2-40 is less than or equal to a threshold value: in this way further straining of the first electric motor 2- 32 due to the resisting torque that would be generated by the electric device 2-33 operating as an electric generator is avoided;

as an electric motor when the value of said mechanical resistance is greater than the threshold value: in this way the value of mechanical power supplied by the lock 2 to slide the pistons 2-34, 2-35 in corresponding mating portions of the frame of the access door 1 1 is maximised, as friction may arise that could block the operation of the first electric motor 2-32.

It should be noted that said mechanical resistance is mainly generated by the pistons 2-34, 2-35 which slide in corresponding mating portions of the frame of the access door 1 1 .

More specifically, when the electric device 2-33 is operating as an electric generator, the electronic lock 2 further comprises a circuit for charging management (not shown for simplicity in Fig.2 and therefore considered as included in the processing unit 2-1 ) which has the function of controlling the charging of the battery 2-5; in particular, said recharging circuit receives the second motor current S_M2 as input (or the second driving signal S2_drv generated as a function of the second motor current S_M2) and generates, as a function of it, the charging current l_chg that is used to recharge the battery 2-5.

Preferably, the battery 2-5 comprises two or more cells connected in series: in this case the charging circuit is such to generate the charging current l_chg in order to balance the charge status of two or more cells of the battery 2-5, balancing the value of the voltage drop at the ends of two or more cells.

Instead in the electric motor operating mode, the electric device 2-33 is such to operate as an electric motor (indicated hereinafter briefly with "second electric motor 2-33" to distinguish it from the first electric motor 2-32) in addition to or in substitution of the first electric motor 2-32:

when the second electric motor 2-33 is such to operate in addition to the first electric motor 2-32, the first electric motor 2-32 is the main one and the second electric motor 2-33 is the auxiliary, the movement of the first electric motor 2-32 is synchronised with that of the second electric motor 2-33 and they are both powered by the battery 2-5: for example, when a higher power is requested for executing the movement of the first and second piston 2-34, 2-35 (for example due to friction), the set of the first electric motor 2-32 and the second electric motor 2-33 has the function of controlling the movement of the mechanical components inside the driving unit 2-40, so as to expand or pull back the first and second piston 2-34, 2-35 and thus perform the mechanical locking or unlocking of the opening of the access door 1 1 ;

when the second electric motor 2-33 is such to operate as a replacement of the first electric motor 2-32, the first electric motor 2-32 is the main one and the second electric motor 2-33 is the emergency motor and is powered by the battery 2-5; for example, in the case of failure of the first electric motor 2-32, the second electric motor 2-33 operates to lock or unlock the lock 2 by means of electrical controls, therefore it is possible to avoid mechanically opening the lock and use only electric commands.

In other words, the two electric motors 2-32, 2-33 act to replace each other and, in case of necessity (for example greater resistive torque on stems), operate coupled to obtain for example 250% of the torque available with respect to that obtained with a single electric motor.

Advantageously, the second electric motor 2-33 is of the stepper type, similarly to the first electric motor 2-32 of the stepper type.

Advantageously, in case of failure of the first electric motor 2-32 and/or of the first driving circuit 2-30, the processing unit 2-1 is such to interrupt the power supply to the faulty portion (for example, of the first driving circuit 2-30), so as to reduce the consumption of the battery 2-5.

When the electric device 2-33 is such to operate as an electric motor (emergency operating mode), the second driving circuit 2-31 has a function similar to that of the first driving circuit 2-30, with the difference that it generates a driving signal of the second electric motor 2-33 in place of the first electric motor 2-32.

In particular, the second driving circuit 2-31 comprises an input terminal electrically connected to the processing unit 2-1 and adapted to receive from the processing unit 2-1 a second driving signal S2_drv indicating an open position or closed position of the electronic lock 2; the second driving circuit 2-31 comprises an output terminal electrically connected to the second electric motor 2-33 and adapted to generate a second driving signal S_M2 to activate the second electric motor 2-33.

The second driving circuit 2-31 has the function of generating appropriate voltage and current values to drive the electric device 2-33 operating as an electric motor; in particular, the second driving circuit 2-31 is configured to generate a second driving signal S_M2 to activate the second electric motor 2- 33, as a function of the value of the second driving signal S2_drv received by the processing unit 2-1 .

Moreover, the second driving circuit 2-30 is such to monitor the operating parameters of the second electric motor 2-33, such as for example the current, voltage, an overload, rotor or step blockage (in the case of a stepper-type motor 2-33).

The use of the second electric motor 2-33 makes it possible to have a lock 2 without a mechanical-type locking/unlocking unit operated by means of a key.

In accordance with a possible embodiment, the closed environment 10 is the trailer of a lorry having a battery such to generate a continuous external battery voltage signal V _{ba t-e} , having for example a nominal value equal to 24 volts.

The battery in the lorry is positioned outside of the electronic lock 2 and is electrically connected thereto by means of a suitable electric cable; in this case the internal electronic components of the lock 2 are powered by the voltage of the external battery V _{bat e} -

According to a possible embodiment of the invention the electronic lock 2 further comprises an accelerometer 2-16 (preferably 3 axes) mounted on the printed circuit board positioned inside the lock 2 and is connected to the processing unit 2-1 (for example, by means of the communication bus 2-14).

The accelerometer 2-6 has the function of measuring the intensity and direction of the value of static and dynamic acceleration of the electronic lock 2 (preferably, the three components in the acceleration space): in this way it is possible to detect accelerations from the outside of the container 10 which vary in time, caused for example by attempts of opening the access door 1 1 and/or sudden impacts of the container 10 and/or sudden movements (for example inclination, reversal) of goods transported in the container 10, thus the processing unit 2-1 can generate an appropriate alarm message and the appropriate measures can be taken.

According to a possible embodiment, the electronic lock 2 comprises a vibration sensor 2-17 to detect any sudden impacts to the lock 12 and therefore to the container 10 fixedly coupled to the lock 2: in this way it is possible to detect any impacts suffered by the transported goods from the outside of the container 10 (caused for example by theft) and the processing unit 2-1 is such to generate an appropriate output alarm message, so as to take appropriate remedies.

Advantageously, the accelerometer 2-16 is used in combination with the vibration sensor 2-17 in order to detect any impact affecting the goods transported in containers 10, caused for example by theft or attempted theft: when the processing unit 2-1 detects (by means of the acceleration values received from the accelerometer 2-16) that the container 10 is in motion (because travelling towards the destination point), the processing unit is such to neglect the values of the signal S_VB received from the vibration sensor 2-17, such to ignore the vibrations caused by the movement of the container 10 while travelling;

when the processing unit 2-1 detects (by means of the acceleration values received from the accelerometer 2-16) that the container 10 is substantially stationary (because it has reached its destination), the processing unit is such to consider the signal S_VB values received from the vibration sensor 2-17, such to consider the vibrations caused by attempts to steal the goods in the container 10.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 comprises a position sensor 2-13 (for example, a magnetic contact) for detecting the opening of the access door 1 1 : in this way it is possible to detect the opening of the access door 1 1 by unauthorised persons and this information can be used locally to take appropriate measures, as well as to notify the electronic device 3 of an unauthorised attempt of opening the access door 1 1.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the container 10 comprises a plurality of load cells located on the floor inside the container 10 and having the function of detecting the weight of the goods transported in the container 10: in the case where the container 10 is closed and the processing unit 2-1 detects (by means of the load cells) a significant variation in the weight of the goods, the processing unit 2-1 is such to generate an alarm message indicating a theft of the goods or the access of unauthorised personnel inside the container 10.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 comprises the temperature sensor 2-20 inside the container 10 and further comprises a pressurised module 2-8 configured to emit a first flow G, _n of pressurised inert gas (for example CO ₂ ) towards the inside of the container 10, in order to decrease the temperature inside the container 10 when it is greater than a threshold value.

In this embodiment, the processing unit 2-1 is further configured to:

receive the temperature signal from the temperature sensor 2-20 indicating a temperature above a threshold value;

drive the first electric motor 2-32 (and possibly also the second electric motor 2-33) in such a way as to lock (by means of the driving unit 2-40) the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10 for a predetermined interval of time (for example, 3 minutes);

generate a signal S_ps to activate the pressurised module 2-8 to emit the first flow of gas G, _n towards the inside of the container 10 for said time interval, so as to decrease the value of the temperature inside the container 10;

eventually control the driving unit 2-40 to unlock the opening of the access door 1 1 of the container 10.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 comprises the infrared optical sensor 2-10 used to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10 and further includes the pressurised module 2- 8 configured to emit the first flow of gas G, _n (for example CO ₂ ) towards the inside of the container 10, in order to at least partially extinguish the fire present inside the container 10.

In this embodiment, the processing unit 2-1 is further configured to:

receive the signal SJR from an infrared optical sensor 2-10 representative of a plurality of thermal images of the space inside the container 10;

process said plurality of thermal images; identify, as a function of the plurality of images processed, that the amount of fire/smoke is high inside the container 10;

generate an alarm message indicating a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10;

generate an alarm message indicating a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10;

generate the signal S_ps to activate the pressurised module 2-8 to intermittently emit the first flow of gas G, _n towards the inside of the container 10 with the aim of at least partly extinguishing the fire.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 comprises a temperature sensor inside the container 10 and infrared optical sensor 2-10 used to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10: in this case a combination of the signals acquired from the temperature sensor and the infrared optical sensor 2-10 is used to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10, so as to reduce the risk of detecting false alarms.

In this embodiment the processing unit 2-1 is configured to:

receive the temperature value inside the container 10 from the temperature sensor 2-20;

receive the signal SJR from the infrared optical sensor 2-10 representative of a plurality of thermal images of the space inside the container 10;

process the plurality of thermal images received;

identify that the temperature value inside the container 10 is high (for example, greater than a threshold value) and also identify, as a function of the plurality of thermal images processed, a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10;

generate an alarm message indicating a high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10;

generate the driving signal S_drv_dp to display said alarm message on the screen 2-6 indicating the high amount of fire/smoke inside the container 10; generate the signal S_ps to activate the pressurised module 2-8 to emit the first flow of gas G, _n towards the inside of the container 10. According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 comprises a temperature sensor inside the container 10, a sensor 2-1 1 detecting the air quality inside the container and an infrared optical sensor 2-10 used to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10: in this case a combination of at least two of the signals acquired from the temperature sensor, the air quality sensor 2-1 1 and the infrared optical sensor 2-10 is used to detect the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10, so as to reduce the risk of detecting false alarms.

In this embodiment the processing unit 2-1 is configured to:

receive the temperature value inside the container 10 from the temperature sensor 2-20;

receive the signal S_Q from the air-quality sensor 2-1 1 representative of the quality of the air inside the container 10;

receive the signal SJR from an infrared optical sensor 2-10 representative of a plurality of thermal images of the space inside the container 10;

identify that the temperature value is high (for example, greater than a threshold value) in at least part of the space inside the container 10 and/or identify that the quality of the air inside the container 10 is low (for example, toxic chemical substances are present);

generate an alarm message indicating the danger status inside the container 10;

process the plurality of thermal images to verify the presence of fire/smoke inside the container 10 and identify from these that the amount of fire/smoke is high;

generate the signal S_ps to activate the pressurised module 2-8 to emit the first flow of gas G, _n towards the inside of the container 10 in order to at least partially extinguish the fire/smoke.

It should be noted that the emission of the first flow of gas G, _n is only activated when all three conditions have occurred: high temperature, low air quality and a high presence of fire/smoke; if instead only two conditions have occurred (in particular, high temperature, low air quality), the alarm message is generated, but the first flow of gas G, _n is not yet activated. According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the pressurised module 2-8 is used as an anti-tampering sensor of the access door 1 1 to the container 10.

In this embodiment the lock 2 comprising the pressurised module 2-8 is configured to emit a second flow of pressurised inert gas G _ext (for example CO ₂ ) towards the outside of the container 10 (for example, by means of nozzles), for the purpose of distancing any unauthorised persons trying to open the electronic lock 2 or the access door 1 1 .

The processing unit 2-1 is further configured to:

detect an attempt of opening the electronic lock 2 by unauthorised personnel;

activate a time counter (equal for example to 5 seconds);

detect that the value of the time counter is equal to a defined count value, activate the pressurised module 2-8 to emit the first flow of gas G _ext towards the outside of the container 10.

Alternatively, in place of the pressurised module 2-8, it is possible to use an air blade as anti-tampering means, in order to create a layer of blurred air in front of the lock 2, thus preventing a person from continuing to force the opening of the access door 1 1 .

It is possible to detect unauthorised opening attempts in several ways: by means of the signal detected by the position sensor 2-13, which has an oscillating trend between a value indicating an open position of the access door 1 1 and another value indicating a closed position of the access door 1 1 , within a limited time interval;

by means of the combination of the accelerometer 2-16 that detects a sudden variation in one or more of the values of the three components of dynamic acceleration and the vibration sensor 2-17 that detects repeated impacts for a given time interval.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, this differs from the previous embodiment in that the electronic lock 2 further comprises a loudspeaker 2-9, which is supplied by the battery 2-5.

In this embodiment the processing unit 2-1 is further configured to activate the time counter and generate a sound activation signal S_spk to drive the loudspeaker 2-9 to emit a voice message toward the outside of the container 10 indicating a notice of impending emission of the second flow of inert gas G _e xt (or air blade) toward the outside of the container 10.

In this way an unauthorised person trying to open the electronic lock is first advised by a vocal message that a gas flow will soon be emitted toward him to allow him to move away from the electronic lock, then if the unauthorised person does not distance himself from the lock 2, said person is hit by the second flow of gas, preventing him therefore from continuing to try to open the lock 2.

Preferably, the electronic lock 2 further comprises a plurality of micro switches 2-7 having the function of programming the operation of certain components of the electronic lock 2.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 further comprises:

a lightning sensor 2-12 which has the function of detecting the presence of lightning in the environment surrounding the electronic lock 2, at a distance from the lock 2 below a defined value (equal for example to 40 km);

at least one opto-isolator (not shown in Figure 2 for the sake of simplicity) interposed between the input terminals of the lock 2 (including the terminals of the sensors present in the lock 2) and the processing unit 2-1 and interposed between the processing unit 2-1 and the output terminals of the lock 2 (including the terminal for driving the first/second electric motor 2-32, 2-33), wherein the opto-isolators has the function of electrically insulating the input/output terminals of the electronic lock 2 with respect to the environment surrounding it.

Each of the opto-isolators is for example implemented with component TLP126 manufactured by Toshiba, which consists of a photo-transistor optically coupled to two diodes for the infrared gallium arsenide emission connected in parallel opposite mode.

The lightning sensor 2-12 is for example implemented with the component "SA3935" (Franklin Lighting Sensor IC) produced by Austrian Micro Systems (AMS).

The set of the lightning sensor 2-12 and the opto-isolators makes it possible to inhibit the exchange of information between the lock 2 and the outside in case of the detection of the presence of lightning in the environment surrounding the electronic lock 2, thereby protecting the electronic components mounted inside the lock 2 in case electrical discharges surround the lock 2 and which could be captured by the metallic structure of the casing of the lock 2: in this way damage to the electronic components mounted inside the lock 2 is avoided.

In particular, the lightning sensor 2-12 comprises an output terminal connected (by means of the respective opto-isolator) to the processing unit 2-1 and adapted to generate a lightning signal S_F (for example, an interrupt signal) representative of the presence or absence of lightning in the environment surrounding the lock 2 at a distance from the lock 2 which is less than the predefined value.

Preferably, the lightning sensor 2-12 is connected to the processing unit 2-1 by means of a respective opto-isolator (not shown for the sake of simplicity in Fig-2).

According to this embodiment, the processing unit 2-1 is further configured to receive the signal S_F from the lightning sensor 2-12 representative of the presence of lightning in the environment surrounding the lock 2 at a distance from the lock 2 which is less than the predefined value and is configured to activate the opto-isolators, which inhibit the electrical connection between the input/output terminals of the lock 2 and the electronic components inside the lock 2.

Preferably, the lock 2 further comprises one or more electric switches (e.g., relay) which has the function of interrupting the power supply to the sensors 2-10, 2-1 1 , 2-12, 2-15, 2-16, 2-20 and the electric motors 2-32, 2-33 when the lightning sensor 2-12 detects the presence of lightning in the environment surrounding the electronic lock 2 at a distance from the lock 2 below a predefined value: in this case, the processing unit 2-1 receives the signal S_F from the lightning sensor 2-12 representative of the presence of lightning in the environment surrounding the lock 2 at a distance from the lock 2 less than the predefined value, then generates appropriate control signals of the electric switches, which interrupt the power supply to the sensors 2-10, 2-1 1 , 2-12, 2-15, 2-16, 2-20, to the electric motors 2-32, 2-33, to the driving circuits 2-30, 2-31 and other electrical components inside the lock 2.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the electronic lock 2 further comprises a receiver 2-4 of the geographical position on earth of the electronic lock 2, for example of the GPS satellite-type (Global Positioning System): in this case the electronic system 1 has the further function (in addition to the access control explained previously) of tracking the movement of the goods during their journey inside the container 10.

According to this embodiment, the battery 5 is such to further supply the geographical position receiver 2-4.

Furthermore, the processing unit 2-1 is further electrically connected to the geographical position receiver 2-4.

The long-distance wireless signal transceiver 2-2 is further configured to transmit the long-distance wireless signal S_w_ld carrying the geographical position of the lock 2 during the movement of the container 10 along a route from a location for loading goods to a location for unloading goods.

Alternatively (or in combination), the short-distance wireless signal transceiver 2-3 is further configured to transmit the short-distance input/output signal S_w_sd that carries the geographical position of the lock during the movement of the container 10 along a route from the departure location where the goods were loaded to a destination location where the goods are unloaded.

The use of the geographical position receiver 2-4 makes it possible to configure the following functions in a software program running on the electronic device 3:

check authorised loading/unloading points for the opening of the electronic lock 2 (and therefore of the access door 1 1 );

configuration of the number of planned stops;

check of the locations where stopping is forbidden or permitted;

configuration and check of the mandatory transit locations.

It is further possible to display on a graphic user interface of the electronic device 3 (for example, on the screen of a smartphone 3) the current position of the container 10 on earth while it is travelling toward the destination location; it is also possible to display the route actually followed by the container 10 on the graphic user interface.

More in particular, according to this embodiment the network element 5 comprises:

a memory configured to store a list of authorised geographical positions for the loading/unloading of the goods into/out of the container 10; a transceiver of signals configured to receive a plurality of values of the geographical position of the lock 2 at defined moments and times during the journey of the lock.

Furthermore, the processing unit of the network element 5 is further configured to compare the plurality of received geographical position values of the lock 2 with the list of authorised geographical positions and generate, as a function of the outcome of said comparison, a loading/unloading authorisation signal representative of the enabling or disabling of the opening of the access door.

Moreover the transceiver of the network element is further configured to transmit the loading/unloading authorisation signal to the electronic lock through the telecommunications network and the long-distance wireless transceiver 2-3 of the electronic lock 2 is further configured to receive the loading/unloading authorisation signal.

The processing unit 2-1 of the electronic lock 2 is further configured to receive the loading/unloading authorisation signal representative of the enabling of the opening of the access door and driving the first electric motor 2-32 (and possibly also the second electric motor 2-33) to unlock the opening of the access door 1 1 , by means of the control of the movement of the driving unit 2-40 by the first electric motor 2-32 (and possibly also of the second electric motor 2-33); alternatively, the processing unit 2-1 of the electronic lock 2 is further configured to receive the loading/unloading authorisation signal representative of the disabling of the opening of the access door and driving the first electric motor 2- 32 (and possibly also the second electric motor 2-33) to lock the opening of the access door 1 1 , by means of the control of the movement of the driving unit 2-40 by the first electric motor 2-32 (and possibly also the second electric motor 2-33).

For example, the list of authorised geographical positions can include the customs offices of the final destination.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the memory of the network element is further configured to store a list of forbidden geographical positions for transit/stop of the goods in the container 10 and store a list of geographical positions where the transport of the goods in the container 10 is mandatory. In this embodiment, the transceiver of the network element 5 is further configured to receive a plurality of values of the geographical position of the lock 2 at defined time instants during the journey of the lock 2.

Moreover in this embodiment the processing unit of the network element 5 is further configured to compare the plurality of the lock's geographical position values received with the list of forbidden geographical positions for transit/stop of the goods and generate therefrom a transit/stop alarm signal as a function of the outcome of said comparison, and is further configured to compare the plurality of received values of the geographical position of the lock 2 with respect to the list of mandatory geographical positions for the transit of the goods and generate therefrom the transit/stop alarm signal as a function of the outcome of said comparison.

Moreover, in this embodiment the transceiver of the network element 5 is further configured to transmit the transit/stop alarm signal toward the electronic device 3 via the telecommunications network 4.

Also in this embodiment the transceiver of the electronic device 3 is further configured to receive the transit/stop signal and the graphical interface of the electronic device 3 is further configured to display a graphic indication of authorised/unauthorised transit/stop of the goods and to display a graphic indication showing the failure to transit through at least one mandatory geographical position.