EP0364812A1 - Safe with an alarm device - Google Patents

Abstract

Safe (1) with a housing (2) and a door (4) arranged on its front side (3), with a built-in alarm device (16) having at least one sensor (21) detecting changes of state, with a signal device which can be triggered by the sensor (21), and with an image recorder (22) which can be triggered by the sensor (21). To produce image data as soon as the safe (1) is approached, the housing (2) has a chamber (8) with at least one viewing window (10) which is located outside the contour of the door (4) and is open towards the area in front of the front side (3) of the safe (1) and behind which are arranged the at least one sensor (21) and the image recorder (22). Preferably, the chamber (8) with the at least one viewing window (10) is arranged in the upper region of the housing (2) and the viewing window is located above the top edge (4a) of the door. Preferably too, the sensor (21) is a movement indicator and the image recorder (22) is an instant camera with an associated flashlight source (22c). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a safe with a housing and a door arranged on its front, with a built-in alarm device with at least one sensor for detecting changes in state, with a signal device that can be triggered by the sensor, and with an image recording device that can be triggered by the sensor.

From DE-U-7 240 305 a safe is known in which the sensor is designed as a motion detector. This makes it possible to trigger visual and acoustic alarm signals and also to actuate a dialing device which indicates one or more specific telephone subscribers to a break-in in which one or more people have entered the detection area of the motion detector, i.e. the apron of the safe. However, it is not possible to store information that could provide information about the identity of the perpetrator or the perpetrators.

From AT-B-381 976 a safe of the type described above is known, in which behind a first armored safe door there is a second, likewise secured door, behind which there is a sensor for the opening state of the first door as well as an alarm device and Camera with flash, both controlled by the first door and the sensor. On the one hand, the camera is of course largely protected against destruction or theft, on the other hand, the whole system only works after opening the first or outer door, so that the known device for early warning (when approaching) and for monitoring the room in which the safe is installed. Also, a burglar has penetrated quite a bit into the actual safe and destroyed it before the alarm system can even respond, so that under certain circumstances. the second (weaker) door can be opened and the safe can be robbed within a short period of time before a security guard or the police can appear at the scene. In addition, a large part of the safe interior space is lost due to the arrangement of the second door and its pivoting area.

It is also generally known to equip the premises of financial institutions or companies that deal with the storage of valuables with surveillance cameras that record the perpetrator (s) in the event of a robbery or break-in. However, this requires expensive camera systems that can be damaged, destroyed or even taken away by the perpetrators. Such surveillance systems are generally not intended for private homes.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a cabinet of the type described at the outset by which the possibility is created in the event of an on breaks already when approaching the perpetrator (s) to produce image material that is not accessible to the perpetrator, even if the safe is not opened (early warning).

The object is achieved in the case of the initially described safe in accordance with the invention in that the housing has a chamber with at least one viewing window arranged outside the outline of the door and open to the apron in front of the front of the safe, behind which the at least one sensor and the image recording device are arranged are.

As a result, the apron of the safe is continuously monitored and any person who enters it is photographed immediately or with a short delay before being able to touch the safe.

It is particularly advantageous if the chamber with the at least one viewing window is arranged in the upper region of the housing and the viewing window above the upper edge of the door.

Safes generally have a height that is between about 80 and 180 cm, so that an image recorder located in the upper region of the housing captures the upper body and the face of the person approaching the safebox when the optical axis of the lens of the image recorder is at least substantially is aligned horizontally and perpendicular to the door of the safe.

A wide-angle lens can be used as the lens, or the optical axis of the image recording device can be pivoted about a vertical axis after the alarm device has responded, with several images being taken in short time intervals to cover the whole To photograph the surroundings of the safe. A so-called direction sensor can also be used in a particularly advantageous manner, which specifically aligns the optical axis of the image recording device with the person closest to the safe.

If, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the subject of the invention, the alarm device and at least one of the sensors are likewise arranged within the housing, the safe forms a completely closed alarm system, so that the purchaser of such a safe receives a complete alarm system with image recording as soon as it is installed .

In an especially advantageous manner, an instant camera with an assigned flash light source is used as the image recording device. Such instant cameras generally have an autofocus system so that the person approaching the safe is automatically sharply imaged.

It is particularly expedient if a collecting container for the ejected instant images is arranged below the instant camera. If this collection container is only accessible through the door of the safe and is connected to the chamber for accommodating the instant camera via a narrow discharge opening for the instant pictures, the photographic recordings are beyond the perpetrator's access as long as the safe cannot be closed to open. After the alarm system has responded, however, there is usually not enough time for this, so that the perpetrator escapes leaving his photograph behind.

It must be borne in mind that the image recorder cannot be secured in the same way as the actual vault of the safe, as there are beam paths for the lens and the flash light source must be provided. Even if the perpetrator destroys the camera or succeeds in breaking open the chamber for the recording of the image recording device, the instant photos produced are already in an inaccessible area of the safe, which in any case cannot be opened easily.

It is also advantageous if the front of the chamber for receiving the image recording device is closed by a lamella plate, the lamellae of which run essentially horizontally and are connected to one another on the back facing the chamber by a plate part which is located in the region of the lens and - if present - the flash source of the image recorder has an opening.

Such a lamellar plate, which can be extruded from a hard light alloy, has excellent resistance to warping and bending. You can create perforations in the plate part at the points where the sensor (motion detector), the lens and the flash source of the image recorder are located, without the strength of the entire lamella plate being noticeably reduced. The slats serve as screens or shadow projectors with regard to a person standing in front of the safe, so that they do not notice it at any rate that there are optical devices behind the slat plate.

This "camouflage" of the optical devices is particularly effective when the surfaces of the lamellae and at least the outwardly facing surface of the plate part are kept in a dark color. If you color these surfaces black in matt tone, which is easily possible by anodizing, it is hardly possible to take a closer look recognize that there are openings in the plate part and that optical systems are arranged behind these openings.

Since the slats in question are to a certain extent in the field of view of the lens, the rangefinder (in the case of autofocus cameras) and the flash light source, it is desirable, in order to avoid a negative influence on these optical devices, that the remaining slats be as close as possible to the optical elements mentioned.

For this reason, the housing at its front upper edge in the area of the chamber for receiving the image recording device is chamfered in a particularly expedient manner at an angle to the rear, which is advantageously between about 30 and 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal. The plate part is then arranged obliquely backwards and upwards at the same angle, while the slats themselves are directed horizontally and forwards. It has been shown that in such a case neither the autofocus device, nor the imaging quality of the lens, nor the performance of the flash light source are adversely affected.

Finally, it is also advantageous if the operating part of the alarm device, which faces the door opening of the safe, is arranged between the chamber for accommodating the image recording device and the ceiling of the actual vault and if the door has an upward extension, which the operating part covers with the door closed. It is useful that the extension of the door also covers the container for the instant pictures.

If such a construction instruction is followed, the alarm device and the container for the instant photos are protected against access as long as the entire safe cannot be opened. As already mentioned, however, the time available is usually not sufficient for this.

It is also advantageous if the alarm device is assigned at least one further sensor, which is arranged outside the safe, for the detection of people and / or for opening movements of windows and / or doors. The assignment can be done via protected cabling or wirelessly. In this way, the sensitivity of the alarm device can be increased accordingly and spatial focal points can be created where the image recording device can take good pictures of the burglars.

It is also advantageous if the alarm device contains a receiving unit for the wireless reception of the transmission signals of a mobile handheld transmitter and / or a fixed contact transmitter for detecting the opening movements of windows and doors described above. With the handheld transmitter, for example, the homeowner or an employee of a surveillance service can trigger recordings remotely if the intrusion into the room in which the safe is located has been reported to him by another facility. Above all, the handheld transmitter can also be used to record any attacks by the burglar against residents or surveillance personnel. In this way, it is possible to create a complete picture documentation of the scene of the crime if the hand transmitter is operated by another member of the family or the security team, for example.

The subject of the invention can also be further advantageously configured in that the alarm device with a central unit with inputs for additional signal transmitters from the group of glass break detectors, contact switches (wireless or wired; for windows and doors), light barriers and motion detectors. In this way, a safe becomes a central monitoring unit, without the perpetrator or the perpetrators being able to put this alarm system out of operation or to destroy the stored image data.

It is of course also possible to use a video camera as the image recording device and to place the recorder - separate from the video camera - in the actual vault of the safe. Video cameras are known for their high performance with low illuminance, so that it is possible to take reliable pictures without special light sources. It is also possible to use the appropriate recording devices to record the duration of several hours from the triggering of the first alarm.

Further advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention emerge from the remaining subclaims.

An embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

• Fig. 1 und 2 perspektivische Ansichten des Geldschranks mit geschlossener und geöffneter Tür,
• Fig. 3 einen Einblick in den oberen Teil des Gehäu­ses mit Frontansichten des Bedienungsteils der Alarmeinrichtung, des Sensors und des Bildaufzeichnungsgeräts in größerem Maßstab,
• Fig. 4a und 4b eine ausschnittsweise Vorderansicht einer und einen Querschnitt durch eine Lamellenplatte, die zur Abdeckung der optischen Einrichtungen des Systems dient,
• Fig. 5 und 6 Vertikalschnitte durch den oberen Teil des Gehäuses im rechten Winkel zur Vorderseite, und
• Fig. 7 eine Draufsicht von oben auf den Geldschrank nach den Figuren und 2 und seine Aufstell­fläche innerhalb eines Raumes.

Show it:

• 1 and 2 perspective views of the safe with the door closed and open,
• 3 shows an insight into the upper part of the housing with front views of the operating part of the alarm device, the sensor and the image recording device on a larger scale,
• 4a and 4b are a partial front view and a cross section through a lamella plate, which serves to cover the optical devices of the system,
• 5 and 6 vertical sections through the upper part of the housing at right angles to the front, and
• Fig. 7 is a plan view from above of the safe according to the figures and 2 and its footprint within a room.

1 and 2 show a safe 1 with a housing 2, in the front 3 of which a door 4 is arranged. The door 4 is held by two hinges 5 and has a mechanical lock 6 and / or an electronic locking device 7. The door also has an upper edge 4a, which is important for the following geometric considerations.

The housing 2 has in its upper region an inner chamber 8, the lower boundary plane of which is indicated by dashed lines. This chamber is separated from the actual vault and has two viewing windows 9 and 10 towards the front 3 above the upper edge of the door 4a (FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5 and 6), which are continuously open in the direction of the apron of the safe. Behind the viewing window 9 there is a sensor in the form of a so-called motion detector, and behind the viewing window 10 there is an image recording device in the form of an instant camera. In a side wall of the housing 2, a multiple plug connection 11 is also provided for the connection of further devices, which will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 7.

As can be clearly seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 2 is bevelled at its front upper edge 2a in the area of the chamber 8 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the rear. This bevel is closed by a lamella plate 12, the details of which are explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b.

Figure 2 shows the safe in the open state, in which an insight into the actual vault 13 is possible. This vault has in a conventional manner fireproof walls and a ceiling 14 to the top. Between this ceiling and the chamber 8 for receiving the image recording device there is an operating part 15 for an alarm device 16 on the left, which is indicated in FIGS. 5 and 7 and as so-called insert is formed. The alarm device also includes a central unit 17 with inputs for further signal generators from the group of glass break detectors, contact switches, light barriers and external motion detectors. The sensor associated with the alarm device 16 behind the viewing window 9 has already been mentioned above.

On the right-hand side there is a collecting container 18 with a closable flap 18a for receiving the instant images ejected by the image recording device.

It is particularly important that the door 4 has an upward extension 4b which extends to the upper edge 4a. In this way, the operating part 15 with the alarm device 16 and the collecting container 18 are reliably protected.

Figure 3 shows the upper part of Figure 2 in a frontal view on an enlarged scale. The chamber 8 has a bottom 8a on which the sensor 21 (a motion detector) and the image recording device 22 (an instant camera) are fastened by means of corresponding holders 19 and 20 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Sensor 21 and image recording device 22 are practically invisible behind the viewing windows 9 and 10 already described in the lamella plate 12, which is shown broken away for the purpose of better insight into the chamber 8 in the area of the viewing windows 9 and 10. The image recorder 22 has a lens 22a, an auto focus system 22b and a flash light source 22c. Such instant cameras are commercially available (e.g. POLAROID "image"). The attachment to the bracket 20 is done by a conventional tripod screw 23. The sensor 21 is also a commercially available device.

Between the bottom 8a of the chamber 8 and the ceiling 14 of the vault 13 are the already described operating part 15 and the collecting container 18 for the instant pictures which are pushed out of a slot 22d of the camera.

The operating part 15 has, for example, a selector switch 24 for the type of alarm (optical - acoustic - silent) and the switching on and off, a further selector switch 25 for switching on the image frequency and / or number of images of the image recording device and also a number of control lamps 26 for various functional controls including the display that the alarm device is "armed". The operating part also eliminates an acoustic signal generator for acknowledging the on and off signals of the handheld transmitter; also a display device for receiving the radio signals from a remote sensor 33 and / or a contact transmitter 40, both of which are explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.

"Silent" or "silent alarm" is understood to mean such a process in which e.g. a remote alarm is triggered by a transmission or dialing unit, for example with one or more predetermined telephone subscribers.

As already mentioned, the operating part 15 and the collecting container 18 are arranged behind the extension 4b when the door is closed and are therefore inaccessible. The sensor 21 and the image recording device 22 are covered on the sides, rearwards and upwards by a protective housing 27 which is part of the housing 2.

Further details emerge from FIGS. 4a and 4b. The lamellar plate 12 has a series of lamellas 12a, the longest cross-sectional axis of which is oriented substantially horizontally. With a slight divergence (not shown) towards the front, the beam paths can be taken into account in a special way. The slats 12a are connected to one another on the rear side facing the chamber 8 by a plate part 12b. An opening 28 is arranged in the area of the lens 22a and the flash light source 22c and, of course, in the area of the autofocus system 22b. This opening lies, like the plate part 12b, in the shadow of the lamellae 12a, which are passed over the opening 28 without interruption. An analog opening is of course also in the area of the sensor 21.

As already described at the beginning, the optical devices are not visible or at least not readily visible in this way.

The image recording device 22 has an additional input (not shown here) for a line connected to the alarm device 16 and likewise not shown here. By means of this line the image is on Drawing device can be controlled in such a way that the automatically switching off flash light source 22c is first switched on (its capacitor is recharged within a few seconds), and that a specific frame rate (single image or image series) is finally triggered.

The dark, preferably black, surface coating of the lamella plate already described also plays a crucial role for the imaging quality and the exposure control of the camera: this avoids incorrect measurements. Due to the close proximity of the lens 22a and the lamella plate 12, the lamellae 12a are also not imaged on the instant images 29, one of which is shown in FIG. 6 in different positions. The instant image 29 is at this moment after it emerges from the slot 22d immediately above the collecting container 18 and enters it due to gravity.

A slight change to the instant camera can ensure that the instant image is not held in the slot 22d, but is ejected correctly. Above the collecting container 18 there is a relatively narrow discharge opening 18b.

FIG. 7 shows the installation of a safe according to FIGS. 1 to 6 within a room which is indicated by two walls 42 and 43. In the wall 43 there is a door 44 with a magnetic contact 4oa, which acts on the contact transmitter 40 already mentioned. This is in turn wirelessly connected to the receiving unit 34.

The multiple connector 11 already described, which is designed and arranged in a known manner to protect against an interruption, has a power plug 30 for a special monitoring network (for example 12 volts) and connections for an external loudspeaker 31 (acoustic alarm) and a hazard warning lamp 32 (visual alarm). An internal loudspeaker 45 is present in the safe 1 itself.

Furthermore, the safe 1 is assigned either wirelessly or by means of a connecting line to the sensor 33 already mentioned, which is arranged outside the safe 1 and is also used for detecting people.

Finally, the already mentioned receiving unit 34 for the wireless reception of the transmission signals of a hand transmitter 35 belongs to the alarm device 16. The following control functions can be carried out by means of this hand transmitter: The push button 36 and 38 can be used to switch the entire alarm device on and off, which is done by one of the Control lights 26 in the operating part 15 and is indicated by an acknowledgment tone. A holdup can be reported by pressing both pushbuttons 36 and 38 simultaneously. The acoustic alarm and / or a dialing unit 39 respond, which is also part of the alarm device 16 and automatically dials a telephone subscriber.

The charge status of the batteries of the handheld transmitter is indicated by a control lamp 37. A changeover switch 41 serves to preselect a pure alarm function (position I) or an alarm function in connection with switching on the image recorder (position II). It can be seen that the safe is at the heart of a complete alarm system that also provides images for the investigation of the perpetrators. In FIG. 7, the detection areas for the sensors 21, 33 and for the image recording device 22 are also indicated by corresponding angles.

In the figures 1 to 7, the safe 1 is shown as a safe standing in the room. However, it goes without saying that the safe can also be designed as a built-in safe for installation in a wall.

Claims (21)

1. Safe (1) with a housing (2) and a door (4) arranged on its front (3), with a built-in alarm device (16) with at least one sensor (21) for detecting changes in state, with one by Sensor (21) triggerable signal device and with an image recording device (22) which can be triggered by the sensor (21), characterized in that the housing (2) has a chamber (8) with at least one outside of the outline of the door (4), facing the apron has an open window (10) in front of the front (3) of the safe (1), behind which the at least one sensor (21 and the image recording device (22) are arranged. 2. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (8) with the at least one viewing window (10) is arranged in the upper region of the housing (2) and that the viewing window is arranged above the upper edge of the door (4a). 3. Safe according to claim 2, characterized in that the alarm device (16) and at least one of the sensors (21) are also arranged within the housing (2). 4. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (21) is a motion detector. 5. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the image recording device (22) is an instant camera with an associated flash light source (22c). 6. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical axis (AA) of the image recording device (22) is aligned approximately perpendicular to the door plane (with the door closed (4)). 7. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical axis (AA) of the image recording device (22) is pivotable about a vertical axis. 8. Safe according to claim 5, characterized in that a collecting container (18) for the ejected instant images (29) is arranged below the instant camera. 9. Safe according to claim 8, characterized in that the collecting container (18) only accessible through the door (4) of the safe and with the chamber (8) for accommodating the instant camera via a narrow discharge opening (18b) for the instant pictures (29) is connected. 10. Safe according to claim 2, characterized in that the front (3) of the chamber (8) for receiving the image recording device (22) is closed by a lamella plate (12), the lamellae (12a) of which run essentially horizontally and on the the rear side facing the chamber (8) is connected to one another by a plate part (12b) which has an opening (28) in the region of the lens (22a) and the flash light source (22c) of the image recording device (22). 11. Safe according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one lamella (12a) is passed over the opening (28) without interruption. 12. Safe according to claim 10, characterized in that the surfaces of the slats (12a) and at least the outwardly facing surface of the plate part (12b) are kept in a dark shade. 13. Safe according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (2) on its front upper edge (2a) in the region of the chamber (8) for receiving the image recording device (22) is chamfered at an angle "α" to the rear. 14. Safe according to claim 13, characterized in that the plate part (12b) is arranged obliquely backwards and upwards at the said angle "α", and that the slats (12a) are directed horizontally and forwards. 15. Safe according to claim 2, characterized in that the operating part (15) of the alarm device (16), the door opening of the safe (1) facing between the chamber (8) for receiving the image recording device (22) and the ceiling (14th ) of the actual vault (13) are arranged and that the door (4) has an upward extension (4b) which covers the operating part (15) when the door is closed. 16. Safe according to claim 15, characterized in that the extension (4b) of the door (4) also covers the collecting container (18) for the instant pictures (29). 17. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm device (16) is assigned at least one further sensor (33) arranged outside the safe (1) for the detection of persons. 18. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm device (16) contains a receiving unit (34) for the wireless reception of the transmission signals of a handheld transmitter (35). 19. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm device (16) has a dialing unit (39) for automatically dialing a telephone subscriber when the alarm device is activated. 20. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm device (16) has a central unit (17) with inputs for further signal transmitters from the group of glass break detectors, contact switches, light barriers and motion detectors. 21. Safe according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm device (16) has a receiving unit (34) for the wireless reception of the output signals of at least one contact transmitter (40) for monitoring the opening of doors and windows.

Images