EP1725997A1

EP1725997A1 - Warning system through detection of movements of protected object

Info

Publication number: EP1725997A1
Application number: EP04714821A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yves Barbarie
Original assignee: Bru Michel Pierre
Current assignee: Bru Michel Pierre
Priority date: 2004-02-26
Filing date: 2004-02-26
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-26
Also published as: WO2005093677A1; EP1725997B1; DE602004008118D1; ATE369597T1

Abstract

The invention concerns a warning system through detection of the movement of the protected object contained in a space whereof the dimension is more or less that of a credit card or which is adapted to the contour of the object. Said feature provides for exceptional transportability and discreet and efficient protection of certain objects which are generally difficult to make secure. The sealed housing encloses the set of electronic components integrated to a circuit benefiting from the special characteristics of a rod type detector, which constitutes an essential functionality for the inventive system. The remote-controlled system, with wave reception alarm scanner requiring only a slight shake of the detector when switched on, is capable of enabling or disabling the selected detector or alarm without direct access to the assembly positioned on or in the protected object. Said portable security system based on the capacity of the detector to operate on all the angles comprises an electronic circuit including a series of switches which close for receiving coded frequencies of the remote control and which immediately set up an interruption of the circuit following transposition of the codes, thereby enabling maximum saving of batteries during the waiting time for a movement and moreover renders the device undetectable. Said circuit also provides a system with scanner remotely triggering the alarm to track the abandoned object and the use thereof if the latter is without scanner, in situations and environments sensitive to radio frequencies. Said system on account of its features is inventive and particularly useful at times when the security of property and personal belongings is daily at risk in certain circumstances.

Description

SECURE OBJECT MOTION DETECTION SYSTEM

This invention is in the field of personal alarms by detection of movements and vibrations and more particularly of the category of portable alarms for the punctual or permanent protection of the personal property of the individual, living space and objects requiring in certain circumstances extra security.

The accessories offered on the market for the protection of objects of personal use (handbags, briefcases, computers) and the more elaborate equipment, developed for the surveillance of real estate and certain devices or furnishings in public spaces have been inspired by the more complex fixed systems used for a long time and which use a heavy power supply group, on board or dependent on the public service. While recognizing the advances made in recent years around compact systems and particularly those aimed at the protection of personal objects, the fact remains that these remain cumbersome by their shape, their operation and sometimes even by their setting technique. working. As for the heavier systems intended for larger objects or large spaces, they have changed little, although they have been significantly reduced (We obviously make an exception here for car anti-theft devices managed by GPS which deviate from the techniques that we compare here. ).

The purpose of these systems is the same: to trigger an alarm when an intruder enters a private space to rob the owner of the premises or that a malefactor seeks to seize an object. However, the solution provided by several of the systems is often mediocre and limited, the neglect of certain safety aspects of the proposed sets, presenting drawbacks which hardly encourage the individual to want to better protect his property, those around him and his movements in the daily.

For example, one of the personal protection systems for a handbag triggers the alarm by removing a rod from the case which restores the electronic power supply circuit when the vandal takes hold of the object carried by the victim. The weakness of this system has two aspects; on the one hand, the shrill cry that comes from the case hidden in the bag can only stop when the rod or the pin retained by a string to the person carrying the object, is returned to its original location; and on the other hand, it is enough for the temporarily trapped vandal to remove from the bag the case easily identifiable by its size to quickly move away with its booty while the alarm continues to sow panic in people who do not arrive more to identify the perpetrator and obviously the victim.

A second portable system which is used to detect the slightest movement of the object in which it is placed has the disadvantage of being unable to activate only if the on-board power supply circuit has previously been actuated by a switch of any type: key, button, etc. To ensure constant protection, this system must therefore be activated at all times, namely until the batteries are exhausted. And as an emergency of this type cannot be predicted with certainty ... When a movement occurs, this system, which operates from a ball detector placed in a small bipolar tube, triggers the alarm integrated into the set placed in or attached to the object if the batteries still have energy in reserve. The behavior of the vandal will be almost identical to the previous example in severing the strap linking the safety box to the luggage leaving behind the alarm which is running out or which the victim can alone neutralize.

Mercury switches are very similar in function to the ball switch but their positive and stable contact is easier to manage. Thus, less sensitive to oxidation, these so-called wetted components are more suitable for angle modification. As for the magnet switch, it is preferably suitable for bringing together or spacing between two parts of a whole than for detecting the resulting movement. This type of component also has the disadvantage of requiring in addition the presence of a magnetic accessory which attracts or repels the mini contact strips which has the disadvantage of being able, once located, to be fairly easily neutralized.

Apart from infrared motion detection systems (or air movement), inside a determined space (which does not concern us here, the protection must be directly carried by the protected object), there are these fixed protection networks supplied from the same electrical circuit used to protect all openings in a building or vehicle. The problem with these systems, which are nevertheless very efficient and particularly dissuasive, is that precisely all the protection points generally have only one energy supply point. In this case, it is enough for the intruder to find the energy source and all the openings become accessible. These security systems, despite the progressive reduction of their structure, cannot meet the very specific protection needs of the individual called upon to move frequently.

All these systems currently available are therefore highly energy dependent, lack autonomy and although more compact are still cumbersome and generally complex or too basic to operate and ultimately not very versatile.

Our invention proposes a miniaturized security system, very light, completely autonomous, without limit and restriction due to the type of detectors used, with maximum energy saving, without constraint of functionality because of its adaptability, for multi-use. and easy to use.

Our invention is a new concept of exceptional portability, without constraint in the positioning of the motion detector, a unique feature which makes the system undetectable and capable of easily adapting to the different situations to which the systems described above respond.

Our intention in developing this equipment was to make this type of protection accessible to all where punctual or permanent deterrent protection is required for an object, a living space or a person.

The system that we are proposing seeks to secure the individual and his personal property but also to dissuade intruders caught in the act letting him go away discreetly by abandoning his project without any other effect for the victim. He also seeks to monitor his permanent or temporary living space as well as the personal objects that are close to his heart, ranging from important documents to the equipment that enlivens his daily life such as the bicycle and the simple wallet. Adaptable, durable and exceptionally solid, our invention can also meet specific needs in the environment. institutional and industrial development.

Resolution of the problem raised

To make a multi-purpose alarm system available to the public, the detector / alarm system had to be miniaturized to the point of being more or less the size of a credit card or a shape specially adapted to the contours. of the object to be secured, being able to adapt to all circumstances which can suddenly threaten the tranquility and security of the person and his property, easily attach to any object that one wishes to secure, contain a circuit capable of ensuring an exceptional lifetime for the batteries supplying the system and offering different levels of detection that can suit the most diverse protection needs.

This system also had to be supplemented by a coded radio frequency transmitter / receiver exclusive to each unit for activating and deactivating the selected detector from a remote control.

In the active standby position, the protection system had to have the quality of being able to remain inert for long periods of time, without the possibility of electronic tracking, without consuming energy but on simple detection of a movement of the protected object. , the circuit should immediately trigger the integrated piezo which would have the capacity to interrupt itself a few seconds later if no new vibration was perceived by the detector. Otherwise, the alarm would have the distinction of resetting itself consecutively until the vibrations stop. From the remote control the owner would have the possibility, if he deemed it necessary, to continuously activate the alarm placed on the stolen object in order to track or have the thief track and to locate the abandoned object in pursuit. (This last feature would require a transceiver with wave reception scanner to be ready to react to orders from the remote control. Otherwise, the circuit which is part of our invention had to exclude the scanner which has the disadvantage of being a nuisance in certain environments (for example, hospitals) and for certain individuals whose physical condition is sensitive to radio wave emissions (for example, patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias and those having to wear a pacemaker).

Small enough to be transported without clutter in the bottom of a pocket and noisy enough to be heard from a distance, this protection system that is our invention seeks to solve the daily concern of beach attendants, inattentive vacationers, travelers in a hurry and everything an individual suddenly needing temporary protection for his person, his property and even his property.

The originality of the protection assembly that our invention is due to, among other things, the characteristics of the component integrated into the system and which is used for motion detection. This element is the subject of an independent patent application (International Application No. PCT / FR 02/03830 - international filing date 07/11/2002). Upon detection of a vibration, this motion detector by bringing the end of a metal rod in contact with the conductive wall of the other end of the component completes one of the electronic circuits of the protection assembly, which immediately commits the operation of the main elements and according to the protocol of the pre-programmed commands, triggers the alarm. The pre-programmed chip receives and retains orders received from the remote control via the radio controlled receiver.

The protection system goes into motion standby position from the remote control and according to the type of detector selected: mode (a) high sensitivity; (b) reduced sensitivity; (c) protection of handbag and wallet.

While waiting for a vibration, all electronic activity is stopped, which ensures maximum battery life and makes the monitoring system undetectable if the receiver is without wave scanners. Power is supplied only during the operating time of the unit's control circuits.

Depending on the type of radio control used, the system is started automatically with the transceiver with wave scanner or requires a slight shaking of the object containing the detector if the radio controlled receiver is without wave scanner.

According to particular embodiments:

The present invention is a system which, in response to the descriptive approach protocol (see FIG. 1), here takes the size of a credit card in the form of a thin plate (1) made of a very resistant composite material and hermetic which holds in under seal two powerful batteries in wristwatch format (2 - 3), a piezo of size corresponding to high resonance (4), three detection units (5 - 6 - 7), a vibration sensor for the activation of the start-up circuit (8), a pre-programmed microchip (9) integrated into the printed circuit (10) connecting all the components together and a manual switch button (11). In addition, there is a functional radio wave receiver at a good distance (12) which serves as a link with the key fob remote control made of very resistant composite material (13) completely waterproof and which includes the following basic elements: a long-life battery (14), a radio-controlled transmitter and three press buttons corresponding to detectors A, B and C (15 - 16 -17) on the board and a STOP press button to deactivate the security system without the need for access to the hidden detector / alarm (18).

The reduced size of the assembly and the attachment facilities allow this detector to be used in all situations where the safety of an object or a person can be called into question. The use of the system is long-term, maintenance-free, does not require any change of batteries and the mounting and molding technique ensures the watertightness of the two units, namely the plate and particularly the remote control.

As this miniaturized protection set is completely autonomous, namely that it is not dependent on any intermediate system or network and that it is capable of responding to varying levels of sensitivity, it can lend itself to the most demanding needs. various.

Thus this small discreet plate containing all the components which are at the origin of our invention can, for example, secure the luggage of the traveler and the beach bags which are left unattended during a swim. This same plate can later be found in the handbag of the lady or the wallet of the man by selecting the appropriate detector. At the hotel and again on simple modification of the sensitivity, the same plate can be placed where security seems reduced (window too easily accessible from the outside, door without real lock, etc.). This system can also be useful at home when you want to leave a door or window ajar or leave the system the task of monitoring a part of the house. This system that is our invention can even be used to protect for a very long time a sealed document placed in a personal safe.

Our invention can protect heavy or bulky objects left outside the house by simply attaching the motion detection plate to the article (garden furniture, barbecue, etc.). the detector / alarm can also be attached to a bicycle or moped, skis, car trunk, radio ...

Finally, this system can also be of public utility for the discreet protection of objects of art and worship. Hospitals and other institutions can also take advantage of this autonomous system to manage access to certain cabinets, cabinets and fridges prohibited without authorization.

Our invention is the solution to the problem of systems that are too bulky, too restrictive and dependent. One or more riveted pads in the right places are enough to deter the intruder if not to trap him.

The attached figures which illustrate the invention:

Figure I illustrates what is the form and the structural and electronic composition of our invention.

Figures 2 to 8 are a representation of the essentials of the functionality of the electronic circuits which manage and make the particularity of the invention illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 2 'OFF system' briefly presents the configuration of the electronic circuit as it appears when it is completely neutralized, therefore in the OFF position. The doors (or the switches controlled by the pre-programmed microchip) 4-5-6 of detectors A, B and C are open while the directional doors (7, 3, 8 and 1) of the various circuits likely to be used are in possible completion position of networks. Only door 2, which also closes when the possibly selected detector (4, 5 or 6) closes, remains open.

Figure 3 'System ON' first shows the closed door 8 is goaded towards the sensor, which makes it possible, by shaking the assembly very slightly, to complete the circuit containing the 'start sensor' and door 1. This contact which engages the power supply, then allows the microchip to modify in a few hundredths of a second, the circuit route by opening door 8 and redirecting the route directly to door 1, avoiding or bypassing the sensor used to start up. This change then ensures for a few seconds a continuous energy supply of the circuit containing in addition the radio controlled receiver (thus 8 + C +1> becomes 8 + 1). This activated circuit then allows the remote control (Figure 4) to transmit the coded frequency of the desired detector for a few seconds. (As an example, the detector A corresponding to door 4 is used in Figure 5). The circuit of doors 8 and 1 is abandoned and leaves room for the circuit of doors 4 - 3 - 2. Detector A is immediately activated (Figure 5 'Alarm system waiting you'). The other detectors corresponding to doors 5 and 6 if chosen do not in any way modify the line 3 - 2 which remains constant.

As soon as a movement or vibration is detected, sensor A (example used) completes circuit 4 - 3 - 2, which immediately changes by bypassing detector A and goes to circuit 4-2 to trigger, during a duration predetermined by the microchip, the piezo which gives the alarm (Figure 6 'Alarm system activated a few seconds'). If no vibration is subsequently perceived, the microchip restores the detector A to its initial circuit, namely its waiting position by returning the basic position to door 3 to restore the waiting circuit 4-3-2 ( Figure 7 'System - return waiting alarm').

Setting the alarm in continuous mode does not change the electronic trace in progress but must be done while the alarm is active by pressing longer on the button on the remote control corresponding to the activated detector. It is the microchip which picks up the message from the remote control, records and interprets the request by modifying the duration of activation of the alarm.

To stop the alarm and return to the partially neutralized basic circuit (Figure 8 'System ON'), the STOP button on the remote control (8 - Fig. 1) must be pressed for a few seconds. The microchip by capturing through the receiver, the coded radio frequency of the button opens all the doors of the different electronic circuits thus neutralizing the different ABC detectors, keeping only doors 8 and 1 closed and leaving the 'start-up sensor' 'in position to recreate the circuit 8 -1 (Figure 3' System ON ') and give the possibility to the remote control (Figures 4 and 5) to reactivate the protection system that is our invention.

The detector which in addition to being the subject of an independent patent application is also the essential element of the system that is our invention, makes possible the electronic tracing which saves battery energy, ensures long life and efficiency of the whole and makes the system 'put on hold' undetectable. This electronic trace by itself cannot, on the other hand, be used without the type detector which is an integral part of our invention.

The circuit requires little change of route if it is decided to expand the detection capacity by giving the system the quality of remotely picking up the stolen object. This capacity nevertheless means the use of a radio control transceiver which must be able to emit, at short notice, a recognition signal to allow it to scan any command from the remote control without the tag attached to the stolen object having need to be jostled to remotely reactivate the circuit of one or other of the detectors integrated in the wafer. The only difference to the basic circuit is that the 'start-up sensor' is removed from the circuit as well as door 8 for an uninterrupted layout (Figure 8 'ON system' - see door 8 and the 'sensor' which are highlighted) while the transceiver of the motion detection pads come with wave reception scanner.

How the invention works

Before placing the plate (1 - Fig.l) containing the detection system on or in the object that you want to protect, you must first put the system in working order (Fig. 2 "System OFF door 8 -1) by giving the manual button (11 - Fig. L) the ON position. Once this step has been completed, we can now attach or conceal the plate, whose system is partially neutralized, to or in the object that we want to secure. The circuit board without or with 'start sensor' can remain in the start position without fear of an untimely triggering of the alarm as long as one does not wish to call it (Fig 3 'System ON' - door 8 and 1; see also 8 - Fig.l). This circuit although partially actuated allows as long as there is no command issued by the remote control, the placement in peace of the plate on the object to be protected. This done, our invention can instantly put the protection system in 'surveillance' phase from the remote control without having to access the plate now discreetly in position. This is made possible by the start-up sensor (International request n ° PCT / FR 02/03830 - internal filing date 07/11/2002) which works like the other detectors used in our invention (except ball contact ) by bringing a suspended metal rod into contact with another metallized end of the component for a brief instant sufficient to complete the circuit, a characteristic which benefits this security system which is intended first of all to be dissuasive. With the power supplied, the selection of a detector using a button on the remote control can then be made within a few seconds of available radio broadcasts, which immediately places the selected detector in the standby position (Fig. 5- 6-7). This second phase using the remote control is only done when a need for protection arises. Thanks to this specific circuit, no misplaced manipulation becomes obvious when an emergency requires discreet but immediate protection. The detection system is discreetly armed (apart from a slight beep) often without the knowledge of potential criminals by first gently shaking the potentially threatened object and then selecting the detector from the remote control.

If the secure object is not already in motion, the circuit is completed by very gently shaking the object to which the plate which contains all of the detection mechanisms is attached. This shaking animates the start-up sensor (8 - Fig. 1) which then makes it possible to complete and activate for a few seconds the printed circuit associating radio controlled receiver, pre-programmed microchip and secondary power supply battery (Fig. 'System ON 'doors 8-1). The receiver thus activated allows the transmitter of the remote control (18 - Fig. 1 and Fig. 4) to communicate with the programmed chip of the board (9 - Fig. 1) and to activate, the detection mode suiting the best suited to the situation (eg detector A - Fig. 5 'System - alarm pending' door 4-3-2) by pressing one of the three buttons 15-16-17 - Fig. 1). From this moment the movement undergone by the secure object will be transferred to the detector authorized to recognize it from the plate which will then complete the circuit linked to the piezo which will trigger the alarm for a few seconds (eg - Fig. 6 - ' System - alarm activated for a few seconds (doors 4-3-2> 3-2) to return to the waiting position for the next vibration as soon (Fig. 7 'Return waiting alarm system - doors 4- 3-2).

In the standby position or when the alarm is triggered (4 - Fig. 1), it is also possible, within a reasonable radius and, from the remote control, to put the alarm in continuous mode. To do so, simply press the button corresponding to the detector already selected (for example button A on the remote control, (Fig. 1 and Fig. 4) in the direction of the board. To stop it, simply press the STOP button (18 - Fig. 1 and Fig. 4) on the remote control, which at the same time deactivates and partially neutralizes the entire detection system by putting it back into the starting point (Fig. 8 - 'System ON' - doors 3-2> 8-1). The system then becomes available again without any more ready to face discreetly a new threat.

The detector can be left at the starting point if it has to be reactivated in a more or less short space of time. Otherwise, the system will be completely stopped by accessing the discreetly concealed plate and pressing the manual OFF button (therefore return to Figure 2 'System - OFF' doors 8-1> 0).

As the remote control and the detectors of the system respond to exclusive coded frequencies, the protective unit (s) associated with the remote control cannot (can) be used or be triggered by equipment foreign to the assembly which can no longer verify whether the interception is valid when procuring the detector. This particularity becomes even more evident if the protection system uses a receiver without scanner for receiving waves.

Finally, the angle or the position taken by the plate when fixed on the object to be secured is of no importance since the primary characteristic of the detector which distinguishes among others, our detection system which is our invention is its ability to be fully functional and efficient regardless of the location or movement of the object, the detector being active on a 360 ° axis.

Claims

claims

1 - A portable and multi-purpose protection system operating by detecting movements or vibrations of the object on which it is fixed or in which it is placed and which includes a piezo alarm, two power supply batteries, a preprogrammed microchip, a printed circuit linked to the functionality of the type of detector which is a feature of our invention, three detectors whose variant is established according to the desired protection, a transmitter and / or receiver with or without wave reception scanner .., two ball switches, an external manual switch, the said system supplemented by a remote control comprising a power supply battery, a pre-programmed microchip, a transmitter and / or receiver with or without wave reception scanner and buttons with direct commands appearing in relief on the surface of the airtight container for remote control of the invention by transmitting coded frequencies.

2 - A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object according to claim 1, characterized in that the container by its exceptionally reduced format, consisting of a thin plate a few millimeters thick with a dimension approaching that of a credit card or of smaller size or of complex shape adapted to the specific contour of the object and made of a super resistant composite material allows by its size, its ease of transport and its immediate availability, discreet protection and effective of certain articles, goods, furniture or other personal or public property equipment difficult to secure or until then without the possibility of punctual or permanent protection.

3 - A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object according to claim 1, characterized by an electronic circuit whose layout made possible by the particular functionality of the type of detectors used is composed of a series of doors (or d 'switches) which allow

- activating or cutting circuits as soon as the command issued by the transmitter of the remote control has been received by the microchip, interpreted and transposed and applied to the system to ensure at all times

- maximum battery saving,

- undetectability of the module,

allowing

- the ability to automatically reset the system to the standby position for new vibrations if the alarm is in deterrent mode and

- the use of the system in places and contexts sensitive to radio frequencies if the receiver is without wave reception scanner.

- the use of the system to trace the object abandoned or hidden by the fleeing thief if the receiver (transceiver) is with wave reception scanner.

4 - A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object according to claim 3 characterized in that after a slight prior shaking of the assembly if the integrated transmitter / receiver operates without scanning the waves, the electronic circuit allows, from the remote control and without having to physically refer to the assembly fixed on or placed in the object it protects, to start the system to select the appropriate detector and at the same time put the alarm in standby position or otherwise partially neutralize the operation of the assembly, immediately cutting contact with them to ensure maximum economy of the power system and long-term functionality to the assembly.

5 - A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object according to claim 4 characterized in that it comprises an external manual button for total interruption of the system which can not be put in the true stop position unless there was previously partial neutralization of the activated detector and by that of the circuit, from the remote control making otherwise ineffective and useless any manipulation of the manual switch by the intruder if the latter can access it.

6- A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object, characterized in that it includes a highly sensitive detector, the particularity of which is to be able to detect the slightest movement perceived by the object to which it is attached and whose operating principle of said vibration detector, following a weak vibration, is to establish between the end of a metal rod on a spring suspension and the other metallized end of the component of which these elements are a part (see International application no. ° PCT / FR 02/03830 - date of intera filing 07/11/2002), a brief contact between the two particles to complete the electronic trace to which the detector is linked and to trigger the alarm according to a program defined by the microchip integrated into the circuit.

7 - A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object, characterized in that it comprises a variant of the detector claimed in 6, namely of medium sensitivity and the particularity of which is that it can only detect heavier movements and therefore less delicate undergone by the object to which the said detector is attached and whose operating principle is, following a strong shaking, is to establish between the end of a metal rod on a spring suspension and the other metallized end of the component of which these elements are part, (see International Application No. PCT / FR 02/03830 - internal filing date 07/11/2002), a brief contact between the two particles to complete the electronic trace to which the detector is linked and trigger the alarm according to a program defined by the microchip integrated in the circuit.

8 - A protection system by detection of the movement of the protected object characterized in that it comprises, to ensure the security of certain personal items, a detection system in two stages, the first stage carried out by the vibration detector which picks up the more or less upward movement of the object in which it is placed and the second time, carried out by a ball switch which follows the pivoting of the object from its vertical position to a horizontal position, one serving to detect the pivoting from left to right and the other used to detect pivoting from right to left. The first detection step is held by the detector which is particular to our invention and claimed in 6 or 7. Without the rocking movement, the detection only passes the first step and the alarm remains silent which indicates normal use of the object, for example, the purse or wallet. The passage time tolerated between the first and second times for this type of detector is controlled by the microchip. The alarm once triggered, remains in continuous mode and therefore only stops from the remote control. 9 - A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object characterized according to claim 1 by a vibration detector which, by gently shaking it, serves to complete a first circuit of the system to allow it to start up and allow the time of a few seconds to supply the circuit with energy to make the receiver available to receive the emission of a coded frequency from the remote control and thereafter cut the power supply and leave the system on standby undetectable and without effect on the environment.

10 - A protection system by detecting the movement of the protected object according to claim 1 characterized in that the removal of the circuit start detector set out in claim 1 allows the receiver to be replaced by a transceiver with reception scanner waves to allow the alarm of the system to be started remotely without the detector having previously detected a vibration, this modification making it possible to trace and find the object abandoned by the perpetrator during his escape, a characteristic which excludes by against the safe use of this wave scanning mode in places and situations recognized as sensitive to radio frequencies.