CN101632104A - Warning system, remote communication devices and article security methods - Google Patents

Abstract

Warning system, remote communication devices and article security methods have been described according to certain aspects of the invention.In one aspect, a kind of safety of goods method comprises: remote communication devices and article to be protected are associated; Use described remote communication devices, produce a plurality of electric signal to form warning system in response to the spurious electromagnetic energy that receives the base communication device that is associated with remote communication devices and a plurality of wireless signal; Electric signal that differentiation produces in response to spurious electromagnetic energy and the electric signal that produces in response to the wireless signal of base communication device; With distinguish in response to this, each electric signal corresponding to the wireless signal in response to base communication device produces produces perceived a plurality of alarm signal.

Description

Warning system, remote communication devices and article security methods

Priority request

[0001] the application requires U.S. Provisional Patent Application number 60/795; 903 right of priority; it was submitted on April 28th, 2006; title is " Alarm Systems; RemoteCommunication Devices; And Article Security Methods (warning system, remote communication devices and article security methods) ", and its instruction is included in this also as a reference fully.

Technical field

[0002] the disclosure relates to warning system, remote communication devices and article security methods.

Background technology

[0003] theft detected electrons system has been used for many application, comprises that for example consumer's retail application is to stop theft.Some theft detected electrons systems can work the environment to the electromagnetic interference (EMI) sensitivity sent from the source except system element.This interference can worsen the work of theft detected electrons system, causes insecure work, comprises the signal that cries wolf.Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can produce from different possible sources, comprises for example honeycomb or wireless phone or beeper.Consider the popularization that increases day by day and its operating position of these devices, comprise by individuality and in being subjected to the zone of safeguard protection, using that the influence of these interference sources can be significant.

[0004] the present invention describes equipment and the method that improved communication is provided.

Description of drawings

[0005] embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to the following drawings.

[0006] Fig. 1 is the exemplary expression according to the warning system of an embodiment.

[0007] Fig. 2 is the functional block diagram according to the remote communication devices of an embodiment.

[0008] Fig. 3 is the functional block diagram according to the regulating circuit of the remote communication devices of an embodiment.

[0009] Fig. 4 is the synoptic diagram according to the regulating circuit of the remote communication devices of an embodiment.

[0010] how Fig. 5 illustrates the figure of constitutional diagram 5a and 5b.Under the situation of combination, Fig. 5 a and 5b are the process flow diagrams by the method for carrying out according to the remote communication devices of an embodiment.

[0009] Fig. 6 is the synoptic diagram according to the supervisory circuit of the remote communication devices of an embodiment.

[0009] Fig. 7 is the synoptic diagram according to the regulating circuit of the remote communication devices of an embodiment.

Embodiment

[0013] reader relates to other common unsettled U.S. Patent applications, one of them title is " Alarm Systems; Wireless Alarm Devices; And Article SecurityMethods ", Ian R.Scott, Brian J.Green and Dennis D.Belden, Jr. as the inventor, have lawyer's file number 1796153US2AP, and with the application mutually same date submit to, another title is " Alarm Systems; Wireless Alarm Devices; And ArticleSecurity Methods ", Ian R.Scott, Brian J.Green and Dennis D.Belden, Jr. as the inventor, have the general contracted notation 1796154US2AP of lawyer, and submit on date identical with the application, and with the two instruction be included in fully this and as a reference.

[0014], shows exemplary configuration according to the warning system of an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure with Reference numeral 10 with reference to figure 1.Warning system 10 comprises base communication device 12 and is positioned at long-range one or more remote communication devices 14 about base communication device 12 (only showing a device 14 among Fig. 1).Remote communication devices 14 can be portable in one embodiment and move about base communication device 12, and can be called as alarm unit or alarm device.Basis and remote communication devices 12,14 are configured in described embodiment about realizing comprising the radio communication of radio communication each other.

[0015] in an exemplary realization, warning system 10 can be used to protect a plurality of article (not shown) safety.In more specific example, warning system 10 can realize comprising with protection the safety of a plurality of article of the consumer goods for sale in consumer's retail application.In some applications, a plurality of remote communication devices 14 can be used to protect the safety of a plurality of respective articles.For example, arriving by additional this remote communication devices 14 in one embodiment will be by the article of safeguard protection, and this remote communication devices 14 can be associated individually with article.

[0016] in one embodiment, can realize warning system 10 with the protection safety of goods, these article are stored in the given position up to providing mandate to remove this article from this position.For example, warning system 10 can be associated with the room such as retail shop, and it may wish that in institute's restricted portion (for example, in inside, shop) preserve article, and if detect and remove the undelegated trial of article from the zone that is limited then produce alarm.An exemplary configuration that is used for the warning system 10 of retail item monitoring realization is eas (EAS).Warning system 10 can realize dissimilar EAS monitoring in different embodiment.The example of the difference configuration of EAS comprises AM (sound magnetic), EM (electromagnetism) and RF (radio frequency).

[0017] in view of the above, in one embodiment, base communication device 12 can roughly be positioned at the ingress and egress point 16 in room.In the embodiment that exemplarily illustrates, base communication device 12 comprises a plurality of doors 18 (for example, door 18 can be positioned at the opposite side on the doorway of retail shop) that are positioned at neighboring entry and exit point 16.In described realization; door 18 can be emitted in the wireless signal that ingress and egress point 16 limits the safeguard protection zone; remove if make remote communication devices 14 brought into corresponding to the zone of the qualification of inside, shop or from the zone corresponding to the qualification of inside, shop; the zone of this remote communication devices 14 by this safeguard protection (for example, comprising that the right of the door 18 that the institute localized area of shielded article can be in Fig. 1 and the left side of door can be no safeguard protections) then.In one embodiment, if for room or zone a plurality of inlet/outlet points are set, a plurality of base communication device 12 can be used for safeguard protection this single room or zone.

[0018] warning system 10 is configured in response to the existence of one of detected remote communication devices 14 in the safeguard protection zone and produces alarm.As following further as described in, this safeguard protection zone can be corresponding to the scope of door 18 the radio communication of base communication device 12, and in an above-mentioned example, door 18 can be positioned at the contiguous ingress and egress point 16 that comprises the room of the article that are subjected to safeguard protection.Base communication device 12 can be sent wireless signal in the safeguard protection zone and corresponding to the safeguard protection zone, and be brought into remote communication devices 14 in the safeguard protection zone receive described wireless signals and can be in response to receiving described wireless signal the signal that gives the alarm.In view of the above; can limit and use this safeguard protection zone in one embodiment; with in a configuration; when remote communication devices 14 produces alarm (, produce the potential stolen situation of alarm with the indication article by bring the article that added remote communication devices 14 in the communication distance corresponding to the safeguard protection zone of base communication device 12) during near ingress and egress point 16.

[0019], shows the exemplary configuration of remote communication devices 14 according to an embodiment with reference to figure 2.Shown in configuration in, remote communication devices 14 comprises the label 20 of the alarm device 22 that is coupled.(for example can form such as the shell of plastic casing; corresponding to the box that in Fig. 2, is labeled as Reference numeral 14 in one embodiment); being equipped with and protecting in label 20 and/or the alarm device 22 one or two, and this shell can be used to be coupled, additional or otherwise with remote communication devices 14 with by the item associations of safeguard protection.In the exemplary embodiment, shell can encase some of device 14 or whole elements, and in other embodiments, this shell can be worked and do not encased them with support component.Can use the element of any suitable shell bracing or strutting arrangement 14.In the exemplary embodiment that illustrates, alarm device 22 comprises regulating circuit 30, treatment circuit 32, memory circuit 34, circuit for alarming 36 and power supply 38.Form that can battery is provided with power supply 38 and coupling power 38 so that work energy one or more in the regulating circuit in the exemplary embodiment 30, treatment circuit 32, memory circuit 34 and/or the circuit for alarming 36 to be provided.In other embodiments, the other optionally configuration of remote communication devices 14 and alarm device 22 may comprise more, element still less and/or optionally.

[0020] in described embodiment, label 20 is configured to the radio communication of realization about base communication device 12.In a structure, label 20 comprises the antenna circuit of LC resonant circuit forms in parallel, this parallel connection LC resonant circuit (for example is configured in response to the electromagnetic energy of being sent by base communication device 12 resonance, in one embodiment, inductor and capacitor can be connected in parallel between the R1 node and ground node of Fig. 4).In a configuration, the inductor of antenna circuit is the solenoid wire-wound inductor device that is configured to resonance on the communication frequency of base communication device 12.In one embodiment, exemplary label 20 can comprise eas (EAS) device that can buy from many suppliers.As following further described, remote communication devices 14 can produce perceived alarm signal in response to the resonance of antenna circuit.This alarm signal can be indicated in the existence such as the remote communication devices 12 (and relative article (if providing)) in the safeguard protection zone on the doorway of retail shop.

[0021] base communication device 12 is configured to and sends electromagnetic energy, be used for remote communication devices 14 alternately to realize safeguard protection work.Base communication device 12 can be sent the electromagnetic energy of the wireless signal form with different frequency constantly in difference.In a configuration, base communication device 12 is sent can be by the carrier frequency of frequency modulation (for example, less than 55MHz), and wherein carrier wave skims in the frequency range from the lower frequency to the upper frequency sinusoidally.For example, in a possible RF EAS realized, base communication device 12 can be sent the wireless signal of 8.2MHz carrier format, with this wireless signal FM modulation with 8.2MHz+/-skim over the speed of 60Hz in the scope of 500kHz.In another embodiment, base communication device 12 can 8.2MHz+/-send bursts of electromagnetic energy at different frequency in the required frequency band of 500kHz.Can communication intermediate base and remote communication devices 12 and 14 (for example, AM EAS scheme can be communicated by letter in the scope at 55-58kHz) appear in other embodiments in other frequency.

[0022] remote communication devices 14 is configured to the frequency range resonance in the frequency range of the modulation of the carrier signal of being sent by base communication device 12 separately.For example, the LC element of label 20 can be tuned to resonance when label 20 is positioned at safeguard protection zone (and receiving the electromagnetic energy of being sent by base communication device 12 in view of the above), and carrier signal is corresponding to the resonance frequency of label 20.In one embodiment, can detect resonance and can trigger base communication device 12 by base communication device 12 to produce perceived alarm.

[0023] in one embodiment, the resonance of label 20 causes producing the reference signal that is delivered to the alarm device 22 that is positioned at remote communication devices 14.This reference signal can comprise corresponding to the letter of the AC energy of the carrier frequency of the signal of the moment transmission of the resonance frequency that is equaled label 20 by base communication device 12 in carrier frequency transfers (signature) (for example, pulse string mode).This reference signal can be passed to regulating circuit 30, and regulating circuit 30 produces separately the pattern corresponding to a plurality of discernible component (for example, pulse) of one of AC energy pulses string.This pulse is received by treatment circuit 32, and treatment circuit 32 can be analyzed this pulse to attempt distinguishing corresponding to the pulse of the electromagnetic energy of sending from base communication device 12 and the pulse that caused by the electromagnetism in other source, for example, and corresponding to the pulse of noise or interference.Detecting under the situation about being received by device 14 from the electromagnetic energy of base communication device 12, treatment circuit 32 may command circuit for alarming 36 send perceived alarm.

[0024] in one embodiment, treatment circuit 32 is configured to deal with data, control data access and storage, issue an order, and other required work of control remote communication devices 14.Treatment circuit 32 can be monitored the signal corresponding to the communication of base communication device 12.As following further described and according to an exemplary embodiment, treatment circuit 32 can be analyzed the stream of pulses that produced by regulating circuit 30 to analyze pulse length and dutycycle.Treatment circuit 32 can use a kind of differentiation windowhood method, and this method is opened and close in one group of parameter of sequential minimal amount from detected sequence specific pulse describing pulse.Describe the other details of an exemplary analysis below in detail.If as the following further described preset parameter that satisfies, treatment circuit 32 may command are by remote communication devices 14 emission alarm signals.

[0025] at least one embodiment, treatment circuit 32 can comprise the circuit that is configured to the required program design that realization provides by suitable medium.For example, treatment circuit 32 may be implemented as processor and/or is configured to the execution executable instruction, for example, and other structures of software and/or firmware instructions, and/or one or more in the hardware circuit.The exemplary embodiment of treatment circuit 32 comprises hardware logic, PGA, FPGA, ASIC, state machine and/or other structures independent or that combine with processor.These examples of treatment circuit 32 are used for illustration purpose and other configuration is possible.

[0026] memory circuit 34 is configured to storage such as program design (for example, software and/or firmware), electronic data, database or other numerical information of executable code or instruction and can comprise the medium that processor can be used.In the exemplary embodiment, processor can with medium can be embodied in any computer program or goods, it can comprise, stores or be kept for program design, data and/or numerical information by instruction execution system use or the combination of and instruction executive system, and this instruction execution system comprises treatment circuit.For example, exemplary processor can with medium can comprise such as in the physical medium of electronics, magnetic, optics, electromagnetism, infrared or semiconductor medium any one.Processor can with the more particular instance of medium include but not limited to portable magnetic computer disk, such as floppy disk, zip dish, hard disk, random access memory, ROM (read-only memory), flash memory, buffer memory and/or can the stored programme design, other configurations of data or other numerical informations.

[0027] can service routine design be implemented at least some embodiment described herein or aspect, this program design is stored in the above-mentioned suitable memory circuit 34 and/or via network or other transmission medium transmission and be configured to control suitable treatment circuit.For example, can provide program design via suitable medium, this suitable medium comprises and for example is in particular in the goods, (for example is in particular in the data-signal, the carrier wave of modulation, packet, numeral etc.), this data-signal is via using other suitable transmission medium, such as communication network (for example, the Internet and/or private network), wired electrical connection, optics connects and/or electromagnetic energy, for example, via communication interface, the transmission medium that perhaps uses other suitable communication structures or medium to provide transmits.In an example, comprise that processor can be used as the data-signal that is embodied in carrier wave with the exemplary process design of code and be transmitted.

[0028] as mentioned above, circuit for alarming 36 can be configured to and send perceived alarm signal (for example, notifying litigant's article to be moved the into fact in safeguard protection zone).For example, circuit for alarming 36 can comprise audible alarm and/or the visible alarm that is configured to send perceived alarm signal individually.

[0029], shows the exemplary elements of an embodiment of the regulating circuit 30 in the middle of label 20 and the treatment circuit 32 with reference to figure 3.The regulating circuit 30 that illustrates comprises detecting device 40, amplifier 42 and pulse shaper 44.Detecting device 40 is configured to the existence of detection by the radio communication of base communication device 12 generations.In one embodiment, detecting device 40 is the RF detecting devices that are configured to the lower powered relatively signal of detection (millivolt level).Detecting device 40 is configured to second electric signal of output corresponding to first electric signal that receives.As described below, detecting device 40 can comprise that the nonlinear detector and second electric signal can have the nonlinear relationship to first electric signal.

[0030] in an illustrated embodiment, amplifier 42 is configured to from the AC train of impulses that is provided by label 20 and detecting device 40 and produces digital signal.Pulse shaper 44 is configured to the output of process amplifier 42 to help the identifiable component (for example, pulse) in the treatment circuit 32 detection reference signals.The other details of the element of Fig. 3 is discussed below immediately in one embodiment.

[0031], shows the exemplary configuration of regulating circuit 30 with reference to figure 4.In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, show the exemplary realization of detecting device 40, amplifier 42 and pulse shaper 44.In the scheme that illustrates, detecting device 40 comprises D1, L1, C4, and amplifier 42 comprises comparer U1, and pulse shaper comprises D2.Circuit shown in being somebody's turn to do provides the sensitivity from the signal in the millivolt scope of base communication device 12, and detecting device 40 is provided simultaneously, and it is passive, and does not consume the electric energy from power supply 38 basically.That other circuit may comprise is more, element still less and/or optionally.

[0032] in the illustrated embodiment, duration of work is detected the output of the label 20 that causes owing to the resonance with electromagnetic energy by the non-linear device that comprises diode D1.More specifically, coupling condenser C2 connects the signal that produced by label 20 to detecting device 40, allows the DC that becomes output signal to drift about simultaneously.When the RF signal that receives by label 20 be bear the time diode D1 with the conducting of forward bias direction, thus the waveform clamper is arrived ground level, and when the RF signal is not conducting when being positive, (for example draw for half of period of wave thus corresponding to the RF waveform that produces by base communication device 12,8.2MHz) the positive signal of instantaneous value of peak value, DC that is directly proportional with the amplitude of the RF signal that is received by label 20 or the AC waveform that slowly changes are provided thus.Comprise that in detecting device 40 nonlinear element D1 has improved the sensitivity of the alarm device 22 of remote communication devices 14.In one embodiment, the diode D1 that describes provides nonlinear relationship, wherein, electric current through diode D1 is clamped to ground level during the negative semiperiod, and allow its during corresponding to the positive half period of the reception voltage of the input signal that receives from label 20 revolution for positive, and output signal is provided to C4, therefore, C4 is directly proportional with the positive peak value of received signal.The DC component signal that detects is coupled to C4 by inductor with DC and AC is blocked.C4 keeps detected magnitude of voltage.In view of the above, in one embodiment, the C4 of detecting device 40 is configured to envelope and the common similar square wave that produces signal, follows the grand trend of the RF signal envelope that receives from base communication device 12.

[0033] in the illustrated embodiment, C3 is coupling in inductor L1 two ends, and select its with component combination is provided in the frequency range that sends by base communication device 12 and the resonance of allying the communists, increase the AC impedance of the circuit that is connected to label 20 thus.The impedance of this increase reduces the load of label 20, makes that the voltage that causes at label 20 two ends is higher, improves sensitivity thus and the signal reflex increase of the antenna circuit of label 20 to base communication device 12 is provided.In one embodiment, provide detecting device 40 to comprise the nonlinear detector that uses diode D1, it produces the pulse that the signal that is received by antenna circuit is had the absolute value relation, and this pulse is applied to comparer U1.Detecting device 40 has nonlinear transport property in the embodiment that describes, and wherein in one embodiment, by using diode D1, the input and output of detecting device 40 have the absolute value relation.

[0034] detecting device of describing according to an embodiment 40 provides the sensitivity of increase for the radio communication of base communication device 12, and do not use amplifier in the work of RF frequency, use amplifier can consume a large amount of electric currents and reduce battery life significantly in the work of RF frequency.

[0035] is converted to logic level by the reference signal of detecting device 40 output by related elements R3, R4 and the R5 of comparer U1 and amplifier 42.This logic level reference signal is provided for pulse shaper 44.The pulse that the D2 of pulse shaper 44 removes denoising and relative purifying is provided from the output of comparer is analyzed by treatment circuit 32 being used for.The quick fall time of the RF signal that D2 allow to detect and as slow rise time of the schedule speed that is provided with by R6 and C5, R6 and C5 also work so that the noise reduction degree to be provided.

[0036] table of value of exemplary configuration that is provided as the regulating circuit 30 that uses together with label 20 and dispose is as Table A, and this regulating circuit 30 comprises the LC resonant circuit in parallel of the capacitor of solenoid wire-wound inductor device with 9.7uH and 39pF.Other elements can be used for other configurations and/or be used for using together with other configurations of label 20.

Table A

Element	Component names/value
		????R1	????3K
????R2	????150
		????R3	????2.4K
????R4	????5.6M
		????R5	????10M
????R6	????470K
		????C2	????1pF
????C3	????2pF
		????C4	????100pF
????C5	????1000pF
		????C6	????0.5pF
????L1	????100μH
		????D1	????SMS7621
????D2	????BAS70
		????U1	????LPV7215

[0037] treatment circuit 32 is configured to reception from the reference signal of pulse shaper 44 output and be configured to and handle this reference signal and have corresponding to the signal of the pattern of the radio communication of base communication device 12 or rhythm with differentiation and other signals that the electromagnetic energy that provided by other source beyond the device 12 produces are provided.Treatment circuit 32 may command circuit for alarming 36 produce perceived alarm to receive in response to the differentiation indication corresponding to the radio communication of base communication device 12.

[0038] treatment circuit 32 can use the standard of the electromagnetic energy that is used to distinguish reception in a kind of attempt.This standard can be predefined, wherein, for example, specifies this standard before receiving the wireless signal of being handled by remote communication devices 14.In a possible differentiation embodiment, treatment circuit 32 is configured to monitoring by in the reference signal of regulating circuit 30 output and corresponding to exist (for example, remote communication devices 14 in response to receive the wireless signal that by base communication device 12 sent produce discernible component) of remote communication devices 14 about a plurality of discernible components of the communication of base communication device 12.In one embodiment, this treatment circuit 32 is configured to monitoring existing with the discernible component of impulse form.As following further as described in, in one implementation, treatment circuit 32 can attempt mating the predefined pattern of the pulse of just processed reference signal and pulse to distinguish communicating by letter and interference from base communication device 12.If treatment circuit 32 may command circuit for alarming 36 are to satisfy standard then give the alarm, such as the discernible component of the form of identification a plurality of discernible components (for example, pulse) and/or identification predefined pattern.This treatment circuit 32 can have to specify in the discernible component in the time predefined phase and/or the reception of pattern, so that the sure identification from the communication of base communication device 12 to be provided.One, more or above-mentioned all example standards can be used for exemplary embodiment to distinguish from the signal of base communication device 12 and the spurious electromagnetic energy that is received by remote communication devices 14.

[0039] more specifically, in a kind of structure, the multiple parameter values of the addressable given configuration corresponding to warning system 10 of treatment circuit 32 (for example, above-mentioned RF, AM, EM).This treatment circuit 32 can utilize parameter value during the reference signal that receives from regulating circuit 30 of monitoring, and its fixed time-the amplitude standard to be to distinguish communication and the interference from base communication device 12.The characteristic of parameter value definable signal and discernible component to be identified (for example, pulse).In particular instance, whether the pattern that parameter can define discernible component to be identified in addition comes from base communication device 12 with indication communication.In one embodiment, can predefine (for example, before producing pending reference signal, defining) be used for the parameter value of dissimilar systems.For example, the values that can use the different configurations of pre-programmed before this device in the open air and can be corresponding to the suitable value of group of the type selecting of the warning system of just using 10 in remote communication devices 14.

[0040] exemplary parameter that is used for the pattern of discernible component and/or discernible component can comprise minimum and maximum pulse parameter, minimum and maximum pulse gap parameters, maximum effective impulse gap, umber of pulse and successfully count.Pulse width parameter is used to define the width of pulse to be monitored.If the minimum in the middle of this pulse gap parameters definition adjacent pulse and maximum time length and corresponding to not receiving other pulse after the pulse formerly wherein then the maximum effective impulse gap of overtime time span occurs.In one embodiment, treatment circuit 32 can be carried out the moving window analysis, and wherein, trial will be positioned at by the correct pulse of the given number of successful count parameter definition in the moving window by the pulse of the number definition of pulse parameter.Describe with reference to figure 5 relevant predefined pattern monitoring impulse form about pulse the component discerned other details.

[0041], shows the illustrative methods of the processing of reference signal according to an embodiment with reference to figure 5.Can carry out the electromagnetic energy of this method in the hope of distinguishing the electromagnetic energy that produces and receive by remote communication devices 14 by base communication device 12 and producing from other source and receive by remote communication devices 14.In an example, treatment circuit 32 is configured to this method of execution, for example, and by carrying out the instruction of being ordered.Additive method is possible, comprises more, step still less and/or optionally.

[0042] at step S10, whole counters reset.Exemplary counter comprises corresponding to the pulse_cnt counter of the pulse number of counting and the success_cnt counter of the pulse number counted corresponding to each value that satisfies parameter.

[0043], detects and measures width from first pulse of pulse shaping circuit at step S12.

[0044], measures first pulse inter-train pause afterwards at step S14.

[0045], determines whether surpass the max_valid_gap parameter in the gap that step S14 measures at step S16.This parameter can be corresponding to overtime.If this condition is sure, handle turning back to step S10, wherein reset counter.If this condition negates to handle proceeding to step S18.

[0046], can carry out from the pulse timing of a plurality of pulses of pulse shaper circuit output at step S18.The pulse timing that should determine can be used to one of many class values of selecting parameter to be monitored.For example, can predefine not on the same group value be used for the difference configuration of warning system 10.In one embodiment, in case determine pulse timing, pulse timing can be used to select each suitably value of group.In addition, at step S18, can increase progressively the pulse_cnt counter corresponding to the pulse that detects at step S12.

[0047], calculates the width of the pulse that detects at step S12 and subsequent gap and compare with the group of the value of each pulse width and gap parameter at step S20.If negate, then handle and proceed to step S24 at the parameter value measurement result.If at the parameter value measurement result is sure (for example, coupling), then this processing proceeds to step S22.

[0048] at step S22, the testing result that increases progressively the marker pulse of success_cnt counter is in parameter value.

[0049], measures pulse width and gap subsequently and increase progressively the pulse_cnt counter at step S24.

[0050], inter-train pause is compared with the max_valid_gap parameter once more at step S26.If the condition of step S26 is sure, it is overtime that then processing turns back to step S10 indication.If the condition of step S26 negates then to handle proceeding to step S28.

[0051], compared with the parameter value of selection in pulse width and the gap measured at step S28.If negate, handle proceeding to step S32 at the parameter value measurement result.If at the parameter value measurement result is sure, then this processing proceeds to step S30.

[0052] at step S30, the testing result that increases progressively the marker pulse of success_cnt counter is in parameter value.

[0053], determines whether to detect required umber of pulse at step S32.In an example, handle wait and detect ten pulses up to.If the condition of step S32 negates then to handle turning back to step S24.If the condition of step S32 is sure, then handles and proceed to step S34.

[0054], determines whether to detect required successful umber of pulse at step S34.In the example of ten pulses of above-mentioned monitoring, the condition by the standard of selected value appointment is satisfied at least five pulses of existence in the processing of step S34 can be monitored for ten pulses.Other standards can be used for step S32 and S34 in other embodiments.If the condition of step S34 negates, then handle turning back to step S10 and remote communication devices 14 does not produce alarm.If the condition of step S34 is sure, then handles and proceed to step S36.

[0055], handle to distinguish as electromagnetic energy of having sent from base communication device 12 that receives via remote communication devices 14 and the electromagnetic energy that produces from other source at step S36.This differentiation indication remote communication devices 14 exists in the safeguard protection zone and treatment circuit 32 can be controlled sending of alarm signal.

[0056] some above-mentioned exemplary embodiment provides the communication of using remote communication devices 14 to distinguish base communication device 12 and the advantage that may send other spurious electromagnetic energy from other source at least.Further, at least one embodiment of remote communication devices 14 provide relatively unusual low signal intensity input, about with the communicating by letter of base communication device 12 to the insignificant influence and the low relatively energy consumption of the performance of label 20.

[0057] further, this warning system 10 can have improved separating capacity under the situation that has honeycomb and wireless phone and other interference sources, otherwise, for example, in electronic article monitoring system, other interference source may hinder the reliable detection from the signal of base communication device 12.In view of the above, can the susceptibility of the false alarm that caused by interference be reduced according to the warning system 10 of an embodiment.

[0058], shows a possible embodiment of the supervisory circuit 50 that can be included in the remote communication devices 14 with reference to figure 6.In one implementation, supervisory circuit 50 treatment circuit 32 that can be coupled.Supervisory circuit 50 is configured in some configurations, reduces the false alarm that produces owing to having spurious electromagnetic energy (for example, being not the battery energy that is sent by system 10) in the environment of realizing system 10 therein.In a following structure will describing, supervisory circuit 50 is configured to the existence of monitoring spurious electromagnetic energy and produces the output of the existence can be used to reduce false alarm.

[0059] in one embodiment, supervisory circuit 50 reduces the false alarm that the electromagnetic interference (EMI) of looking genuine because of some kind may exist.Configuration shown in this supervisory circuit 50 is configured to monitor interference, this interference can have with the similar characteristic of radio communication that produces by base communication device 12 (for example, the time letter is transferred) (for example, the letter that is used for the communication of recognition device 12 is transferred), and may cause false alarm by remote communication devices 14.For example, compare with a embodiment in the radio communication of the system 10 of 8.2MHz, the GSM phone sends with the different basically frequency of about 850-1900MHz.Yet, the radiation of the embodiment by triggering remote communication devices 14, the signal that the GSM phone sends can be enough to cause electric current.This triggering may be because GSM disturbs and the similarity that may believe accent of the radio communication of base communication device 12 causes.

[0060] in the exemplary embodiment, supervisory circuit 50 is tuned to the frequency of spurious electromagnetic energy (for example, GSM disturb) and is not tuned to the frequency band of the radio communication of base communication device 12.For example, in the illustrated embodiment, tuning supervisory circuit 50 is to receive and the spurious electromagnetic energy (for example, GSM phone transmission or other high-frequency interferencing signal) of demodulation outside the communication band of base communication device 12.In one embodiment, in the configuration of the warning system 10 of the communication in the frequency band that uses about 8.2MHz, the antenna 52 of supervisory circuit 50 can be tuned to the frequency band such as 100MHz-5GHz.

[0061] output node 54 of supervisory circuit 50 treatment circuit 32 that can be coupled.The signal that treatment circuit 32 can receive from output node 54 about each signal Processing that receives from regulating circuit 30.Treatment circuit 32 can in time be analyzed communication or the spurious electromagnetic energy that is in response to base communication device 12 from each signal that corresponds to each other of circuit 30,50 with the output of the regulating circuit 30 determining to have suitable letter and transfer.Shown in configuration in, electric signal that the communication from base communication device 12 that the output of supervisory circuit 50 allows treatment circuit 32 to distinguish to receive from regulating circuit 30 produces and the electric signal that produces from spurious electromagnetic energy.As following further as described in, treatment circuit 32 can be carried out to distinguish and analyze based on the output of supervisory circuit 50.

[0062] the possible source of configuration the foregoing description spurious electromagnetic energy of the suitable communication of refusal base communication device 12 so that supervisory circuit 50 detects the work that may influence warning system 10.Exist therein during the example of warning system 10 of the spurious electromagnetic energy of the proper operation may influence warning system 10 realizes, the receiver of regulating circuit 32 and supervisory circuit 50 all can be indicated the signal that has the communicating by letter of similar base communication device 12 (for example, have corresponding to the letter of the communication of base communication device 12 and transfer) but produce from spurious electromagnetic energy.Yet, suitable frequency band (for example, 8.2MHz) in the communication period of base communication device 12, only produce that the regulating circuit 30 of electric signal that there is the communication of base communication device 12 in indication is produced and supervisory circuit 50 does not produce.

[0063] if the output electric signal of the receiver of regulating circuit 30 and supervisory circuit 50 is all effective in its moment separately, and the time letter separately with communication of similar base communication device 12 is transferred, and indication exists spurious electromagnetic energy and treatment circuit 32 to ignore potential false alarm condition and do not control by circuit for alarming 36 to produce alarm signals so.But, if it is invalid but effective from the output electric signal of supervisory circuit 50 from the output electric signal of regulating circuit 30 in the moment separately, having effective letter transfers, so potential alert consitions is owing to the rational communication from base communication device 12, and treatment circuit 32 may command circuit for alarming 36 give the alarm.In addition, if in the embodiment that describes the output electric signal of supervisory circuit 50 effectively and each output electric signal of regulating circuit 30 invalid, treatment circuit 32 is not controlled the signal that gives the alarm.

[0064] in a configuration, antenna 52 may be implemented as independent industrial siding highway section, its as be tuned to the unipole antenna of frequency range of spurious electromagnetic energy to be monitored.And, in the embodiment show in figure 6, supervisory circuit 50 is similar to regulating circuit 30 ground work, wherein, coupling condenser C1 Coupled RF energy is to nonlinear detector diode D1, the signal that allows the DC drift motion make to allow to draw simultaneously relatively slowly to change (for example, producing) from the envelope of GSM cell phone or other unconscious interference sources at the two ends of diode D1.Non-linear element diode D1 draws the electric signal that is directly proportional with the envelope of spurious electromagnetic energy.This electric signal is coupled to by inductor L1 and keeps capacitor C2, thereby this inductor L1 is at the low frequency range electrical short and in the load of upper frequency open circuit minimize antenna signal.Can optimize the value (if known maybe can predict) of C2 for the expectation timing sequence of spurious electromagnetic energy.Can select C1 in one embodiment, the value of C2 and L1 is so that the communicating by letter but optimize and detect the spurious electromagnetic energy of relative high frequency of the base communication device 12 that decays significantly.In the embodiment that describes, supervisory circuit 50 is effectively and the communication of or refusal base communication device 12 invalid for the communication of base communication device 12 in response to spurious electromagnetic energy.Therefore, the output electric signal of supervisory circuit 50 only is the expression of spurious electromagnetic energy.The residue element of supervisory circuit 50 is similar to corresponding each element of regulating circuit 30 and works in the exemplary embodiment that illustrates.

[0065] since in some implementations the relatively very high frequency of unconscious injection (for example,＞100MHz) characteristic can more directly be developed and receive very high frequency relatively but the supervisory circuit 50 of strong relatively other the low relatively 8.2MHz signal of level of refusal.In certain embodiments, may more be difficult to design and receive relative low frequency 8.2MHz and not to the receiver of the responsive regulating circuit 30 of the high level relatively spurious electromagnetic energy (for example, the radio-frequency (RF) energy of GSM phone) that can present.

[0066] with reference to figure 7, another possible configuration that shows regulating circuit 30 comprises substituting detector circuit, and it has still less frequency and selects (comparing with the embodiment of Fig. 4) and therefore responsive slightly more to more low-level signal when being connected to label antenna.

[0067] in the scheme shown in Fig. 7, detecting device 40 comprises D1, R2, C4, and amplifier 42 comprises comparer U1, and pulse shaper comprises D2.Should shown in circuit the sensitivity from the signal of base communication device 12 to the millivolt scope is provided, detecting device 40 is provided simultaneously, it is passive and does not consume electric energy from power supply 38 basically.Other circuit may comprise more, still less and/or optionally element.

[0068] in the illustrated embodiment, during operation, by comprising that the nonlinear device of diode D1 detects the output of the label 20 that causes owing to the resonance with electromagnetic energy.More specifically, coupling condenser C2 connects the signal that produced by label 20 to detecting device 40, allows the DC that becomes output signal to drift about simultaneously.When the RF signal that receives by label 20 be bear the time diode D1 with the conducting of forward bias direction, the clamper waveform is to ground level thus, and when the RF signal is not conducting when being positive, (for example draw for half of period of wave thus corresponding to the RF waveform that produces by base communication device 12,8.2MHz) the positive signal of instantaneous value of peak value, DC that is directly proportional with the amplitude of the RF signal that is received by label 20 or the AC waveform that slowly changes are provided thus.Comprise that in detecting device 40 nonlinear element D1 has improved the sensitivity of the alarm device 22 of remote communication devices 14.In one embodiment, described diode D1 provides nonlinear relationship, wherein, electric current via diode D1 is clamped to ground level during negative half-cycle, and allow its during corresponding to the positive half period of the reception voltage of the input signal that receives from label 20 revolution for positive, and output signal is provided to C4, therefore, C4 is directly proportional with the positive peak value of received signal.Detected DC component signal carries out AC filtering by the R2 coupling and by R2 and C4.C4 keeps the value of the voltage of detection.In view of the above, in one embodiment, the C4 of detecting device 40 is configured to envelope and the common similar square wave that produces signal, follows the grand trend of the RF signal envelope that receives from base communication device 12.

[0069] in one embodiment, provide by using diode D1 to comprise the detecting device 40 of nonlinear detecting device, making to produce and have the pulse of absolute value relation, and use this pulse to comparer U1 by the signal that antenna circuit receives.Detecting device 40 has nonlinear transmission characteristic in the embodiment that describes, and wherein has the absolute value relation by the input and output of using diode D1 detecting device 40 in one embodiment.

[0070] detecting device of describing according to embodiment 40 provides the sensitivity to the increase of the radio communication of base communication device 12, and does not use the amplifier in the work of RF frequency, otherwise it consumes significant electric current and reduces battery life significantly.

[0071] by the reference signal of the detecting device 40 output related elements R3 by comparer U1 and amplifier 42, R4 and R5 are converted to logic level.This logic level reference signal is provided to pulse shaper 44.The D2 of pulse shaper 44 removes denoising and provides the pulse of relative purifying to be used for being analyzed by treatment circuit 32 from the output of comparer.The quick fall time of the RF signal that D2 allow to detect and as slow rise time of the schedule speed that is provided with by R6 and C5, R6 and C5 also work so that the noise reduction degree to be provided.

[0072] be provided for using together with label 20 and the table of the value of the exemplary configuration of the regulating circuit 30 that disposes as table B, this regulating circuit 30 comprises the LC resonant circuit in parallel of the capacitor of solenoid wire-wound inductor device with 9.7uH and 39pF.Other elements can be used for other configurations and/or be used for using together with other configurations of label 20.

Table B

Element	Component names/value
		????R1	????3K
????R2	????100K
		????R3	????2.4K
????R4	????5.6M
		????R5	????10M
????R6	????470K
		????C2	????1pF
????C4	????100pF
		????C5	????1000pF
????C6	????0.5pF
		????D1	????SMS7621
????D2	????BAS70
		????U1	????LPV7215

[0073] abide by rule, with about structure and how many specific language descriptions of method feature the disclosure.Yet, should be appreciated that the disclosure be not limited to shown in and described special characteristic realize of the present invention preferred form because disclosed mode comprises here.Therefore, require in the exclusive scope that described claim is explained rightly according to the principle of equivalence in any form or revise protection the present invention.

[0074] further, here in order to present various aspects in the structure of illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure and/or the guiding in the work.In these one or more applicants consider that the illustrative embodiment of these descriptions also comprises, disclosure and description of the present invention except clear and definite other aspect disclosed here.For example, comprising still less of describing compared in other aspect of the present invention in illustrative embodiment, more and/or feature optionally.In more specific example, the applicant considers openly to comprise, disclosure and description comprise compares clearly disclosed method still less, the more and/or method of step optionally, and compare the equipment that disclosed clearly equipment comprises still less more and/or selective structure.

Claims (37)

1. warning system comprises:

Base communication device is configured to the realization radio communication;

Remote communication devices is configured to and uses radio communication to communicate by letter with base communication device, and wherein, this remote communication devices is suitable for being associated with article to be protected, and wherein this remote communication devices comprises circuit for alarming;

Wherein, this remote communication devices is configured to one of radio communication in response to base communication device and generates first signal, and wherein this first signal comprises being configured to described first signal is identified as the characteristic that produces in response to the radio communication of described base communication device;

Wherein, this remote communication devices is configured in response to being received spurious electromagnetic energy and produced secondary signal by described remote communication devices, and wherein, this secondary signal comprises described characteristic; And

Wherein, this remote communication devices is configured to and distinguishes described first signal and described secondary signal and produce perceived alarm signal in response to the generation of described differentiation and described first signal.

2. system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this base communication device is configured to the realization radio communication, be included in and produce radio communication in the safety zone, and this remote communication devices is configured in response to having described remote communication devices and received described radio communication and generated described first signal by remote communication devices in the safety zone.

3. this base communication device wherein, is placed sending wireless signal by system as claimed in claim 2, thus the ingress and egress point of the contiguous wherein shielded localized area of article and limit described safety zone.

4. system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the radio communication of this base communication device is in certain frequency band, and the frequency place of this spurious electromagnetic energy outside this frequency band occurs.

5. system as claimed in claim 4, wherein, this remote communication devices comprises the frequency that is tuned to spurious electromagnetic energy and the supervisory circuit that is not tuned to described frequency band.

6. system as claimed in claim 5, wherein, this remote communication devices is configured to the output area that utilizes supervisory circuit and divides described first signal and described secondary signal.

7. system as claimed in claim 6, wherein, this remote communication devices is configured to by not existing the electromagnetic energy that is detected by described supervisory circuit to discern described first signal.

8. system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this remote communication devices is configured to and does not produce perceived alarm signal during having described secondary signal.

9. system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this remote communication devices comprises the antenna circuit that consists essentially of LC resonant circuit in parallel, the radio communication resonance that this parallel connection LC resonant circuit is configured to and sends from described base communication device.

10. system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this base communication device and remote communication devices are configured to use and communicate less than the radio communication of the frequency of 55MHz.

11. a remote communication devices comprises:

Shell is configured to and is coupled to article to be protected;

Circuit for alarming and the coupling of described shell;

The coupling of antenna circuit and described shell, and be configured to and be received in a plurality of different a plurality of wireless signals that send from the base communication device that is associated with described remote communication devices constantly to form warning system;

Regulating circuit is configured to a plurality of electric signal of generation corresponding to described wireless signal;

Supervisory circuit is configured to the existence of monitoring spurious electromagnetic energy at described remote communication devices place; With

Treatment circuit, with described regulating circuit and supervisory circuit coupling, and be configured to monitoring in response to supervisory circuit, some electric signal is identified as the wireless signal that transmits corresponding to by base communication device, and wherein this treatment circuit is configured to the described circuit for alarming of control to produce a plurality of perceived alarm signals corresponding to each electric signal in some electric signal that identifies.

12. as the device of claim 11, wherein, this regulating circuit comprises the non-linear device that is configured to the generation electric signal.

13. as the device of claim 11, wherein, tuning this antenna circuit with receive frequency individually less than the wireless signal of 55MHz.

14. as the device of claim 11, wherein, this antenna circuit consists essentially of the LC resonant circuit in parallel that is configured to described wireless signal resonance.

15. as the device of claim 11, wherein, tuning this antenna circuit is receiving wireless signal in the frequency band that is used by described base communication device, and this supervisory circuit is configured to the existence that monitoring has the spurious electromagnetic energy of the frequency outside described frequency band.

16. as the device of claim 11, wherein, tuning this antenna circuit is receiving the wireless signal in the frequency band that is used by described base communication device, and this supervisory circuit is tuned to the frequency range outside this frequency band.

17. as the device of claim 11, wherein, this supervisory circuit by tuning to receive the wireless signal outside the frequency band that uses by described base communication device.

18. device as claim 11, wherein, this treatment circuit is configured to: when the wireless signal corresponding to some electric signal is received by remote communication devices, do not discern described these electric signal by there is not the spurious electromagnetic energy that is detected by described supervisory circuit in the moment separately.

19. as the device of claim 11, wherein, this treatment circuit is configured to not control during having the spurious electromagnetic energy that is detected by described supervisory circuit and produces perceived alarm signal.

20. the method for security protection of article comprises:

Remote communication devices and article to be protected are associated;

Use described remote communication devices, the spurious electromagnetic energy of the base communication device that reception is associated with described remote communication devices and wireless signal are to form warning system;

At the spurious electromagnetic energy of this reception of standard analysis of the wireless signal that can be used for discerning described base communication device and the wireless signal of reception;

Indication is satisfied corresponding to spurious electromagnetic energy that receives and wireless signal standard separately;

The standard that differentiation produces from the wireless signal of described base communication device is satisfied indication and the standard that produces from described spurious electromagnetic energy is satisfied indication; With

In response to described differentiation, the standard that produces corresponding to the wireless signal from described base communication device is satisfied a plurality of perceived alarm signals of indication generation.

21. method as claim 20; further comprise; use this base communication device; send wireless signal towards the ingress and egress point in the zone of the shielded qualification of article wherein; and the step that wherein, receives the wireless signal of described base communication device comprises that the described remote communication devices that the use location is close in the ingress and egress point in the zone that is limited receives.

22. the method as claim 20 further comprises, uses described base communication device, sends the wireless signal in certain frequency band, and the step of reception spurious electromagnetic energy comprises that reception has the spurious electromagnetic energy of the frequency outside the described frequency band.

23. as the method for claim 22, wherein, the step of this reception spurious electromagnetic energy comprises uses the circuit be tuned to the frequency of described spurious electromagnetic energy and be not tuned to described frequency band to receive.

24. as the method for claim 23, wherein, this differentiation step comprises uses the circuit of the frequency that is tuned to described spurious electromagnetic energy to distinguish.

25. as the method for claim 24, wherein, this differentiation step comprises the spurious electromagnetic energy that is received by described circuit by not existing, identification is satisfied indication from the standard of the wireless signal generation of described base communication device.

26. as the method for claim 23, wherein, this generation step does not produce perceived alarm signal during being included in the spurious electromagnetic energy of existence by described circuit reception.

27. method as claim 20, further comprise, use described base communication device, send wireless signal, and wherein this receiving step comprises and uses the antenna circuit of described remote communication devices to receive, and this antenna circuit consists essentially of the LC resonant circuit in parallel of the wireless signal resonance that is configured to and sends from described base communication device.

28. the method as claim 20 further comprises, uses described base communication device, sends the wireless signal of frequency less than 55MHz.

29. the method for security protection of article comprises:

Remote communication devices and article to be protected are associated;

Use described remote communication devices, produce a plurality of electric signal in response to the spurious electromagnetic energy that receives the base communication device that is associated with described remote communication devices and a plurality of wireless signal to form warning system;

Electric signal that differentiation produces in response to described spurious electromagnetic energy and the electric signal that produces in response to the wireless signal of described base communication device; With

In response to described differentiation, each electric signal corresponding to the described wireless signal in response to described base communication device produces produces a plurality of perceived alarm signals.

30. method as claim 29; further comprise; use this base communication device; send wireless signal towards the ingress and egress point in the zone of the shielded qualification of article wherein; and the step that wherein, receives the wireless signal of described base communication device comprises that the described remote communication devices that the use location is close in the ingress and egress point in the zone that is limited receives.

31. the method as claim 29 further comprises:

Use described base communication device, send the wireless signal in certain frequency band; With

Reception has the spurious electromagnetic energy of the frequency outside the described frequency band.

32. as the method for claim 31, wherein, the step of this reception spurious electromagnetic energy comprises uses the circuit be tuned to the frequency of described spurious electromagnetic energy and be not tuned to described frequency band to receive.

33. as the method for claim 32, wherein, this differentiation step comprises uses the circuit of the frequency that is tuned to described spurious electromagnetic energy to distinguish.

34. as the method for claim 33, wherein, this differentiation step comprises the spurious electromagnetic energy that is received by described circuit by not existing, identification is from the electric signal of the wireless signal generation of described base communication device.

35. as the method for claim 32, wherein, this generation step does not produce perceived alarm signal during being included in the spurious electromagnetic energy of existence by described circuit reception.

36. the method as claim 29 further comprises:

Use described base communication device, send described wireless signal; With

Use remote communication devices, use antenna circuit to receive wireless signal, this antenna circuit consists essentially of the LC resonant circuit in parallel of the wireless signal resonance that is configured to and sends from described base communication device.

37. the method as claim 29 further comprises, uses described base communication device, sends the wireless signal of frequency less than 55MHz.

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