WO1995018431A1

WO1995018431A1 - Radio alarm and/or identification system

Info

Publication number: WO1995018431A1
Application number: PCT/HU1993/000084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sándor CSERE; Attila LÀZÀR; Barnabás KEREZSI
Original assignee: Tantál Elektronikai Kft.
Priority date: 1993-12-29
Filing date: 1993-12-29
Publication date: 1995-07-06

Abstract

This invention relates to a radio alarm and/or identification system particularly for protecting and identifying motor-vehicles and fixed objects, said system having at least one alarm transmitter (1) and an identification receiver (4) tuned to the frequency of the alarm transmitter (1); said alarm transmitter (1) having at least one detecting circuit (12, 13), a radio transmitter (17) connected to the output of the detecting circuit (12, 13), an antenna connected to the radio transmitter (17), and a switch, preferably remote switch (2), for setting and inactivating the alarm device; the identification receiver (4) having a radio receiver (42) equipped with an antenna, and a signalling unit (43) connected to the output of the radio receiver (42); said alarm transmitter (1) comprising a central controller (11) provided with a stored program; said central controller (11) having a data input connected to an output of a loading interface (15), sensing inputs connected to outputs of the detecting circuits (12, 13), an alarm output connected to the input of the radio transmitter (17); said identification receiver (4) having a central controller (41) provided with a stored program, and a display unit (44); said radio receiver (42) of the identification receiver (4) having a second output connected to the input of the central controller (41) of the identification receiver (4); said central controller (41) of the identification receiver (4) having an identification output connected to the input of said display unit (44) for displaying the identification data of the protected object in a direct form; and a portable receiver (3) comprising a radio receiver (31) equipped with an antenna and tuned to the frequency of the transmitter (17), a decoder (32) coupled to the output of said radio receiver (31), and a signalling unit (33) coupled to the output of said decoder (32).

Description

RADIO ALARM AND/OR IDENTIFICATION SYSiEDI
The present invention relates to a radio alarm and/or identification system particularly for protecting and/or identifying motor-vehicles and fized objects.

The protection of motor-vehicles and fixed objects is becoming increasingly important due to an increase in intrusions and other unauthorized acts. Several security systems were developed for protection of property.

The most commonly used devices nave sensors are in the protected object, and give a local alarm in the form of sound and light signals which can be perceived by the perpetrator, too. A major drawback of said devices results from the fact that the perpetrator perceives the alarm signal immediately and he can flee or stop the signal. On the other hand, it is not sure that the owner of the object perceives the alarm. t"Ioreovr, false alarms are so fre(s .iit e.g. at cars that passers-by hardly pay any attention to the alarm sound. Another drawback arises from disturbing the surroundings, many times without any reason due to the false alarms.

There are conventional systems which transmit the alarm signals to a remote alarm centre by wires. These systems donot disturb the surroundings, and the intruder doesn:t perceive the alarm, but an extensive wiring is required which is expensive to install and difficult to transfer.

Por motor-vehicles, these systems are to be combined with wireless transmission /e.g. HU 168 TOO/.

To avoid the above drawbacks, wireless alarm transfer systems using radio frequency channels were developed.

In these systems, several alarm transmitters can transmit signals to a centre, and therefore an identification of the transmitters is needed. According to EP 0 380 075, a radio telephone apparatus equipped on the car is used for transmitting alarm signals. In the case of an intrusion into the car, sensors detect the abnormal state and the radio apparatus automatically transmits an alarm signal including the identification code of the subscl'iber to the base station of the mobil radio telephone system. A portable receiver carried by the- owner of the car receives a response signal from the base station and produces an alarm sound whereby the owner can recognize the abnormal state of the car.

In comparison with the conventional systemsgiving a local alarm, the above mentioned wireless system transmits the alarm signal certainly to the owner without disturbing the surroundings and the perpetrator doesn't perceive the alarm. Howewer, such a system can be used only for protection of cars equipped with a mobil radio telephone terminal. A further drawback results from the fact that only the owner is called, the police don't get any identification and, on the other hand, relating to the actual position of the stolen car, only the cell of the. mobil system can be defined in that the car is, but a cell extends over a relatively large area.

Another alarm system known from US 4 095 211 is independent of existing radio telephone systems. This is a coded electronic security system having a plurality of transmitters in the protected objects and a single central receiver.

The transmitters are activated by sensors mounted in the objects. Each transmitter generates an RF signal modulated by an iddnification sound frequency unique to each par ticular transmitter. The modulated RF signal is emitted by means of a transmitting antenna. In the centre, the receiver picks up the transmitted RF signal at its antenna, demodulates the signal and identifies the transmitter on the basis of the sound frequency. An alarm sound and light is produced'to call attention to the. alarm. This system has the drawback that the. identification data associated with each frequency are to be registered separately, and therefore the further development of the system is rather circumstantial. For an exact identification, high stability of the frequencies and a sufficient distance between them are needed.

The fulfillment of these requirements increases the costs and limits the capacity of the system.

No solution is presented for informing the. owner, and the position of the vehicle cannot be located, and consequent- ly the search is to be extended to an unnecessarily large area.

In another known radio alarm system, radio transmitters equipped in the cars generate an HF signal at a common carrier frequency if an intrusion is detected. The HF signal is modulated by an uncoded sound signal. After demodulation, the receiver produces an interrupted alarm sound. This system has the drawback that an indication of an alarm don't provide an indication of which particular transmitter activated the alarm. If several cars are in the reception area, it is difficult to find out which one is the subject of an intrusion. Therefore, the. use of such systems is limited.

The object of the present invention is to provide a radio alarm and/or identification system which, preserving the useful features, overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art, i.e. the alarm don't disturb the surroundings, the perpetrator don't percive the alarm, but the owner of the alarm device can immediately recognize the abnormal state, and simultaneously the direct identification data of the protected object are available for the police or a similar force /said data including e.g. the registration number, type and colour of a car; the exact address of a fixed object/.

The invention is based on the recognition that the above-mentioned objects can be accomplished without a preliminary central registration of the identification codes of each object and, in case of an alarm, without a central evaluation and identification, if a combined signal series is used, controlled by a stored program, which signal series consists of an identification code receivable by a portable receiver /payee/ carried by the owner, and a series of data for direct identification of the protected object by an identification receiver equipped e.g.in a patrol car, said receiver having a display for presenting said series of data.

Owing to the local evaluation, a low power transmission is sufficient, therefore the particular transmitters don't disturb each other, and the alarm together with the identification data is received by the patrol car being nearest to the source of the alarm and capable of taking measures immediately.

The present invention provides a radio alarm and/or identification system having at least one alarm transmitter and an identification receiver tuned to the frequency of the alarm transmitter; said alarm transmitter having at least one detecting circuit, a radio transmitter connected to the output of the detecting circuit, an antenna connected to the radio transmitter, and a switch, preferably remote switch, for setting and inactivating the alarm device; the identification receiver having a radio receiver equipped with an antenna, and a signalling unit connected to the output of the radio receiver; said alarm transmitter comprising a central controller provided with a stored program;

said central controller having a data input connected to an output of a loading interface, sensing inputs connected to outputs of the detecting circuits, an alarm output connected to the input of the radio transmitter; said identification receiver having a central controller provided with a stored program, and a display unit; said radio receiver of the identification receiver having a second output connected to the input of the central con troller of the identification receiver; said central controller of the identification receiver having an identification output connected to the input of said display unit for displaying the identification data of the protected object in a direct form;

and a portable receiver comprising a radio receiver equipped with an antenna and tuned to the frequency of the transmitter, a decoder coupled to the output of said radio receiver, and a signalling unit coupled to the output oi said decoder.

Advantageously the said central controller of the alarm transmitter has switching outputs connected to the inputs of switching circuits.

It is also advantageous if the said central controller of the identification receiver has a second output connected to an interface being in connection with a centre
A preferred. embodiment of the system according to the invention is characterized by a signalling transmitter comprising a detecting unit, a radio transmitter connected to the output of said detecting unit, and said transmitter having an antenna; and a signal receiver comprising a radio receiver having an antenna and tuned to the frequency of said radio transmitter of the signalling transmitter, and a signalling unit connected to the output of said radio receiver.

In a further embodiment, the radio receiver of the signal receiver is tuned to the frequency of said radio transmitter of the. alarm transmitter as well.

Preferably, the radio receiver of the identification receiver is tuned to the frequency of said radio transmitter of the signalling transmitter as well.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in'which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system embodying the invention;
Pigure 2 is a block diagram of the alarm transmitter;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of the remote switch;
Figure 4 is a block diagram of the portable receiver;
Figure 5 is a block diagram of the identification re- ceiver;
Figure 6 is block diagram of the radio signalling transmitter; and
Figure 7 is a block diagram of the radio signalling receiver.

Pigure 1 shows the structure of the radio alarm and/or identification system comprising an alarm transmitter 1 controlled by a stored program, a remote switch 2, an identification receiver 4 controlled by a stored program, a portable receiver /pager/ 3, a radio signalling transmitter 5 and a radio signal receiver 6o The wireless connections between the particular units are shown by dotted lines.

The alarm transmitter 1 controlled by a stored program can be hidden in the motor vehicle or the object; no external antenna is needed. The alarm transmitter 1 can be set in active state /ready for alarming/ by the wireless coded remote switch 2, but any other suitable switch can also be used. The alarm transmitter 1 can be inactivated only by the remote switch 2 of the owner, because the software of the alarm transmitter 1 analyses the inactivating code, and if an unknown code is received, the inactivation is inhibited for a certain time, whereby an increased protection is achieved against sabotage.

If an intrusion occurs, the alarm transmitter 1 sends combined code series consisting of: - A special encoded signal which can be received only by the portable receiver 3 belonging to the alarm transmitter 1 and carried by the owner. The portable receiver 3 produces an alam signal, e.g. sound signal, to draw the owner's attention to the alarm state. Due to the encoding, the portable receiver 3 does't receive signals from other aln transmitters being in the vicinity, therefore the transmitters don't disturb each other.

- A character package having an optional structure of letters and numbers, presenting e.g. the registration number, type and colour of the car; the address; the number of the protected zone. That means that the identification data of the protected object are transmitted directly. The transmission starts when an intrusion is detected, and continues till the inactivation.

A further feature of the alarm transmitter 1 is that the identification data can be fed and overwritten by the system management, and therefore a series of data compatible with other existing security systems can be provided.

The identification receiver 4 controlled by a stored program receives an identification data package transmitted by the alarm transmitter 1. The- small and low consumption identification receiver 4 can be equipped in mobil as well as fixed objects.

In a mobil equipment, used e.g. in a patrol car, the identification data package can be read on a display, facilitating the identification of the object, e.g. car or flat, by presenting its particular features, e.g. the registration number, type and colour of a car or the address of a flat. Therefore, appropriate measures can be taken immediately.

In a stable equipment, where the identification receiver 4 is fixed e.g. at traffic lights or motorway gates, the received identification data package is - in addition to a possible direct displaying - transmitted, by wire or wireless, to a central office or inspection. Data giving the place of the identificai;io;; receiver are added to the identification package, thereby the movement of the stolen car can be followed in the central office.

If the alarm comes from a stable object, it is possible based on the received data, e.g. address, zone - to visit the scene.

In both cases, the police or other anti-crime units can start taking measures when the intruder has not perceived anything of the alarm and, consequently, doesn't try to stop the alarm or doesn't flee.

The system described above can be completed by fur' ther elements for identification of motor-vehicles.

These elements, the radio signalling transmitter 5 and the radio signal receiver 6, are cheap and simple to operate, and therefore they can be put to general use to increase the efficacy of the system.

When alarming, the signalling transmitter 5 transmits a modulated signal for a long time. The. identification receiver 4 controlled by a stored program can identify said modulated signal. In a mobil equipment, the identification receiver 4 produces a sound to signal the alarm for the patrol car. In a stable equipment, it makes possible to localize the object Pnds if it is a stolen car, follow its movement.

The signal receiver 6, due to its extreme low power consumption and small sizes, is suitable, above all, for foot patrols. The signal receiver 6 receives the signals of both the alarm transmitter 1 controlled by a stored program and the signalling transmitter 5, and produces a signal, e.g. sound signal, 30 that the patrol can recogr.ize the alarm. The sensibility can be changed so that a policeman patrolling on foot can find the stolen cars among parking cars.

The alarm transmitter 1, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a central controller 11 provided with a stored program. Detecting circuits 12, 13.1...13.k for detecting changes of voltage, movement etc. are connected to the sensing inputs of the central controller 11. The output of a remote-switch receiver 14 having an antenna, is coupled to a further input of the central controller 11. The remoteswich receiver 14 is tuned to the frequency of the radio transmitter of the remote swich 2.

The central controller 11 also has a data input connected to the output of a loading interface 15. The switching outputs of the central controller 11 are connected to switching circuits 16.1...16m. The alarm output of the central controller 11 is connected to the input of a radio transmitter 17' having an antenna.

As shown in Figure 3, the remote switch 2 comprises a code composer 21 having an output connected to a radio transmitter 22 equipped with an antenna.

The block diagram in Figure 4 shows the portable receiver 3 as comprising a radio receiver 31 having an antenna and tuned to the frequency of the radio transmitter 17 of the alarm transmitter 1. The output of the receiver 31 is coupled through a decoder 32 to the input of a signalling unit 33.

Figure 5 shows the identification receiver 4 comprising a radio receiver 42 having an antenna and tuned to the frequency of the. radio transmitter 17 of the alarm transmitter The first output of the radio receiver AL s coupled to the input of a signalling unit 43, and the second output to the input of a central controller 41 having a stored program. An identification output of the central controller 41 is coupled to the input of a display unit 44, and a second output to the input of an interface 45 being in connection with a centre.

The block diagrams in Figures 6 and 7 show the signalling transmitter 5 and the signal receiver 6 which can complete the system according to the invention. The signalling transmitter 5 comprises a detecting unit 51 which can be any known intrusion detector. The output of the detecting unit 51 is coupled through a signalling circuit 52 to the input of a radio transmitter 53 equipped with an antenna. The signal receiver 6 comprises a radio receiver 61 having an antenna and tuned to the frequency of the transmitter 53 of the signalling transmitter 5 and to the frequency of the radio transmitter 17 of the alarm transmitter 1. The output of the receiver 61 is connected to the signalling unit 62.

The central controller 11 of the alarm transmitter 1 controlled bg a stored program is a microcomputer operating on the basis of a software stored in its memory. The combined code series and the parameters determining the services of the system can be loaded into the microcomputer through the loading interface 15. The alarm device is set in active state by a coded signal received by the remoteswitch receiver 14, if the software of the central controller 11 registers during the analysis "n" series of signals having the same code as stored in advance.

After setting /activating/ the device, the central controller 11 stores the state of the universal detecting circuits 13. These states are regarded as normal states and, during the monitoring, the changes are detected n comari- son with said normal states. The universal detecting circuits 13 can be provided with any known sensors, being sensitive to infrared light, movement, opening of a door etc.

The central controller 11 starts to monitor the detecting circuit 12 sensitive to changes in the voltage with a certain delay after setting the device. During monitoring, the central controller 11 raises the alarm if any change is sensed on its inputs. When alarming, a combined code series is transmitted by the radio transmitter 17, and the universal switching circuits 16 are operated according to the program. The switching circuits 16 can be connected to any known signalling unit, or they can e.g. inhibit the ignition in a car. The timing and duration of the signals can be determined in the stored program.

The alarm device can be inactivated by the remoteswitch receiver 14; if the central controller 11 registers 'tun" series of signals /i.e. the same series is received n times/ having a code identical with the stored one, it inactivates itself.

In order to increase the security by avoiding sabotage, the central controller 11 inhibits any inactivation for a time preset in the program, if it receives a series of signals with a code different from the stored one.

It is a great advantage of the system that the management of the system or the user can determine the parameters of the services by programing.

The remote switch 2 transmits a code produced by the code composer 21 through the radio transmitter 22. The alarm transmitter 1 receives and analyses the transmitted code series,and accordingly sets or inactiates itself.

In the portable receiver 3, the combined signal series transmitted by the alarm transmitter 1 controlled by a stored program is received and demodulated by the radio receiver 31 and passed to the decoder 32. If the decoder 32. receives a code identical with the stored one, the signalling unit 33 is initiated to give sound, light or any other signal to draw attention. On the basis of the signal, the user recognizes the alarm, i.e. the intrusion.

By means of the portable receiver 3, the user can get a distinct return signal when setting or inactivating the alarm transmitter 1.

In the identification receiver 4 controlled by a stored program, the combined signal series is received and demodulated by the radio receiver 42 and then analyzed by the microcomputer of the central controller 41 based on the program stored in its memory. After evaluation, the central controller 41 displays the identification data of the protected object on the display unit 44 and, in the case of a fixed equipment, the identification data - completed with data for locating the identification receiver 4 - are passed through the interface 45 to a central office. The signalling unit 43 connected to the radio receiver 42 produces a signal to call attention to the alarm.

In the signalling transmitter 5, the signalling circuit 52 connected to the detecting unit 51 produces a signal /e.g.

a sound-frequency signal which is - after appropriate modulation - transmitted by the radio transmitter 53 through an RP channel. The high frequency stability of the transmitter is achived advantageously by a. surface wave resonator.

Due to the small size of the device and the antenna inter grated on a printed circuit board, the alarm device can be hides easily in the object to be protected. Wnen an intru- sion is committed, the detecting unit 51 starts the signalling circuit 52, and the radio transmitter 53 keeps transmitting until the signalling transmitter is inactivated.

The alarm received by the radio receiver 61 of the signal receiver 6 can be recognized by means of the signalling unit 62 in the form of any known signal, e.g. sound signal.

The user can locate the motor-vehicle giving alarm on the basis of the changes in the intensity of the signal.

All units of the system shown in Figure 1 operate with an own battery or accumulator enabling safe functioning and mobility.

The alarm and/or identification system according to the invention can be used succesfully for protection of property and in emergency, e.g.for protection of motor- vehicles, flats, industrial objects, and further for monitoring, identifying and locating moving objects, e.g. lifts and taxis0

Claims

Claims 1. Radio alarm and/or identification system particularly for protecting and identifying motor-vehicles and fixed objects, said system having at least one alarm transmitter and an identification receive tuned to the frequency of the alarm transmitter; said alarm transmitter having at least one detecting circuit, a radio transmitter connected to the output of the detecting circuit, an antenna connected to the radio transmitter, and a switch, preferably remote switch, for setting and inactivating the alarm device; the identification receiver having a radio receiver equipped with an antenna, and a signalling unit connected to the output of the radio receiver, c h ara c t e r i z e d by said alarm transmitter /1/ comprising a central controller /11/ provided with a stored program;

said central controller /11/ having a data input connected to an output of a loading interface /15/, sensing inputs connected to outputs of the detecting circuits /12s13/ an alarm output connected to the input of the radio transmitter /17/; said identification receiver /4/ having a central controller /41/ provided with a stored program, and a display unit /44/; said radio receiver /42/ of the identification receiver /4/ having a second output connected to the input of the central controller /41/ of the identification receiver /4/; said central controller /41/ of the identification receiver /4/ having an identification output connected to the input of said display unit /44/ for displaying the identification data of the protected object in a direct form;

and a portable receiver /3/ comprising a radio receiver /31/ equipped with an antenna and tuned to the frequency of the transmitter /17/, a decoder /32/ coupled to the output of said radio receiver /31/, 'and a signalling unit /33/ coupled to the output of said decoder /32/.

2. The radio alarm and/or identification system according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said central controller /11/ of the alarm transmitter /1/ having switching outputs connected to the inputs of switching circuits /16/.

3. The radio alarm and/or identification system according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said central controller /41/ of the identification receiver /4/ having a second output connected to an interface /45/ being in connection with a centre.

4. The radio alarm and/or identification system according to any preceding claim c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a signalling transmitter /5/ comprising a detecting unit 51/, a radio transmitter /53/ connected to the output of said detecting unit /51/, and said transmitter /53/ having an antenna; and a signal receiver /6/ comprising a radio receiver /61/ having an antenna and tuned to the frequency of said radio transmitter /53/ of the signalling transmitter /5/, and a signalling unit /62/ connected to the output of said radio receiver /61/.

5. The radio alarm and/or identification system according to any preceding claim c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said radio receiver /61/ of the signal receiver /6/ being tuned to the frequency of said radio transmitter /17/ of the alarm transmitter /1/ as well.

6. The radio alarm and/or identification system accord ing to any preceding claim c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said radio receiver /42/ of the identification receiver /4/ being tuned to the frequency of said radio transmitter /53/ of the signalling transmitter /5/ as well.