AU655339B2 - Security system - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 1 0.

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4$ H oL Name of Applicant Actual Inventor GWYNNE LEWIS PARRY GWYNNE LEWIS PARRY Address for Service GRANT ADAMS COMPANY, Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 9, National Mutual Centre, 144 Edward Street, BRISBANE. QLD. 4000

AUSTRALIA.

Invention Title "SECURITY SYSTEM" Details of Associated Provisional Applications Numbers PK9889 and PL1318 The following statement is a full description of the invention including the best method of performing it known to me.

2 THIS IL,JENTION relates to an improved security system.

Many security systems cannot be effectively activated once an intruder enters a premises. If the occupier cannot reach an operating switch for the system e.g. if cornered or bound by the intruder, the system is useless.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security system where the occupier of the premises carries an operating device (or transmitter) at all times.

It is a preferred object to provide a system which can give both visual and audible alarm signals.

It is a further preferred object to provide a "i 15 system where the deactivating switch is separate from S' the operating device(s) and can be concealed.

Other preferred objects will become apparent from the following description.

In a broad aspect the present invention a control unit; at least one remote or mobile operating device to be worn or carried by the person(s) occupying the premises protected by the system; eI 25 a receiver, connected to the control unit, to receive an activating signal generated by an operating device; and g audible and/or visual alarm means operable by the control unit when the receiver receives an activating signal from an operating device.

Preferably the control unit is concealed and it may be connected to the mains power supply.

Preferably it is provided with an internal battery which will power the control unit, and the alarm, should the mains power supply fail or be disconnected.

3 Preferably the deactivating switch is mounted on the control unit but it may be provided at a remote (preferably concealed) location t. iz __Grngly rrfP rr tha- poperating devices cannot deactivate the control unit.

Preferably the visual alarm means includes a high intensity strobe light (or lights), and/or one or more flashing bright light sources. The audible alarm may include one or more horns, buzzers, sirens, beepers or the like. In addition to the audible and visual alarms, the control unit may be connected to e.g. a machine which will automatically dial an emergency number and transmit a pre-recorded emergency message or a. trigger an alarm at a remote security monitoring 15 station.

The control unit may also be connected to an existing security system which monitors a premises for intruders, fires and the like.

Preferably the operating devices incorporate small radio transmitters which are operable to transmit a coded signal to the control unit to activate the alarms. Preferably the operating devices are provided in (or on) wristbands to be worn by the occupiers of the S. premises, and may be incorporated with a watch. The operating device may also be provided, on bracelets, necklaces or chains, or the like. To enable them to be worn at all times, it is highly preferred that they be .fully waterproof e.g. to enable the control system to be activated to summon help should the occupier be injured or become ill in the shower or bath.

Preferably the operating devices have buttons or the like switches which must be operated for a preset period e.g. for five seconds and/or in a preset code, to prevent accidental triggering of the alarms.

To enable the invention to be fully T BG i 4 Bii understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the security system; and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram thereof.

The security system has a control unit 10, to be hereinafter described, connected to an. external, high intensity, strobe light 11 and a horn 12. The control unit 10 can be deactivated by a concealed switch 13.

The control unit 10 can be activated by an operating device 14 worn by a person on an armband.

The operating device 14 is mounted in a waterproof unit on the wristband and has a transmitter and encoder 15 and antenna 16. A switch (not shown) 15 must be depressed for at least five seconds to prevent inadvertent operation of the control unit Alternatively, two or more switches or buttons must be operated in a preset code (eg. 1221 or 1212).

The control unit 10 has a power supply 17 connected to the 240V AC mains supply 18 and incorporates 240V AC/12V DC transformer/rectifier circuitry 19. An internal battery 20 is charged by the circuitry 19 and is operable to supply power for the control unit 10 should the mains supply 18 fail or be cut.

A receiver/decoder unit 21 is provided with an antenna 22 to receive signals from any of the S" operating devices. 14. If an activating signal is received, the circuitry 22 in the control unit 10 will cause the horn 12 to sound and the strobe light 11 to flash to alert passers-by that the occupier needs help.

A clock or timer circuit 23 will switch the horn 12 off after three minutes to comply with noise abatement requirements.

When the emergency is over, the control unit I is deactivated (and reset) by pressing the concealed switch 13. As the intruder cannot see the external strobe light 11, he may believe that the alarm signal has stopped when the horn 12 is switched off but the strobe light 11 will continue to operate until switch 13 is pressed. By mounting the light 11 in a high position, the strobe light will be visible from a considerable distance to indicate assistance is required.

By placing the switch 13 in a concealed location, the occupier can "stall" an intruder who demands that the alarms be switched off while help is 1i being summoned.

I It will be readily apparent that an occupier 15 can trigger the system to call help in a medical ,i '[emergency e.g. during a heart attack or after a fall.

ia 'T The control unit 10 and operating device 14 a.ii ,can also be used with existing alarm systems which detect intruders, fire, water damage or the like.

i 20 The present invention provides a simple, I "<efficient security system to protect persons, or summon i medical help.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (7)

1. A security system for premises including: a control unit; at least one remote or mobile operating device to be worn or carried by the person(s) occupying said premises, said operating device not being operable to de-activate said control unit; a receiver, connected to said control unit, to receive an activating signal generated by said operating device; and audible and/or visual alarm means operable by said control unit when said receiver receives said activating signal from said operating device.

2. A security system according to Claim 1 wherein: said control unit is concealed and connected to a mains power supply.

3. A security system according to Claim 2 wherein: said control unit is provided with an internal battery to power said control unit and said alarm means should said mains power supply fail or be disconnected.

4. A security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: a deactivating switch is provided for said control unit, said deactivating switch being mounted on said control unit or at a remote, concealed location.

A security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein: said visual alarm means includes at least one high intensity strobe light or bright light source; and said audible alarm means includes at least one horn, buzzer, siren, beeper or the like. <2 C I r 1 ir a ir i i:i ,ei ii ii: r j:2 p i i I~ .3 ii' I:S E i i; 7

6. A security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein: said operating device is provided in or on a wristband, watch, bracelet, necklace, chain or the like 5 to be worn by said person(s); and said operating device has at least one button or switch which must be operated for a preset period and/or in a preset code to prevent accidental activation of said alarm means. 10

7. A security system for premises substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this tenth day of August 1994. GWYNNE LEWIS PARRY, by his Patent Attorneys, GRANT ADAMS COMPANY. S ABSTRACT A security system has a control unit connected to a strobe light (11) and audible alarm (12). An operating device (14) to activate the system, is provided in a wristband and has a transmitter/encoder and antenna (10) to send a coded signal to the control unit (10) to activate the system. The system can only be deactivated by a separate deactivating switch (13) which is preferably concealed remote from the. control unit f Q*. a v 4 i f 1 ft I