Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
  • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
  • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
  • G08B13/2428—Tag details
  • G08B13/2431—Tag circuit details
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
  • G08B13/14—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
  • G08B13/1436—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles with motion detection
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
  • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
  • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
  • G08B13/2465—Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
  • G08B13/2468—Antenna in system and the related signal processing
  • G08B13/2471—Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
  • G08B29/18—Prevention or correction of operating errors
  • G08B29/181—Prevention or correction of operating errors due to failing power supply

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and a device for detecting, identifying and protecting goods, in particular against theft.
• the detector may consist, for example, of an accelerometric sensor or an inclinometer capable of detecting a movement or a change of inclination of the object.
• the energy consumption of the beacons is mainly due to the consumption of the radio transmitter contained in the beacon.
• the transmitter must have a minimum range which it is not possible to reduce, in order to increase the autonomy of the beacon by limiting its energy consumption, it is necessary to ensure that the time for alarm signal emission is reduced to the strict minimum.
• the use of a timing circuit limiting the transmission period from the detection of the above parameter is not satisfactory. Indeed, when a device is authorized to change location inside a room, but must not leave it (the exit door of the room being equipped with a receiver), the source energy from the beacon can be discharged as a result of a multiplicity of authorized movements without the receiver having been requested.
• the invention therefore more particularly for bur to remove these disadvantages.
• the range of the receiver will be more important than that of the transmitter of the wake-up signal, so as to be able to detect, in a large area, the alarm signal emitted by beacons woken up by other means or beacons responding directly to the detection of the monitored parameter and in a narrower zone, for example a passage zone, the alarm signals emanating from beacons authorized to emit and which have been awakened by the alarm signal.
• the device for implementing the method described above will have to intervene, on the one hand, at least one local unit, possibly coupled to a central unit, and comprising a transmitter circuit capable of transmitting a wake-up signal and a receiver circuit capable of receiving an alarm signal emitted by a beacon and, on the other hand, at least one beacon associated with an object to be protected comprising a receiver circuit capable of receiving the wake-up signal emitted by the unit local and to transmit an alarm signal following this reception, a detector able to carry out the detection of a significant parameter of a prohibited use of the obiex and to emit an authorization signal following this detection, and a control logic circuit capable of triggering the emission of the alarm signal on the dual condition that the enabling signal has been transmitted and that the beacon receiver has received the wake-up signal.
• Figure 1 is a block diagram of an installation implementing the method according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit of a tag associated with a protected object
• FIG. 3 schematically shows, on a larger scale, a local unit in communication with two beacons of different types
• Figures 4 and 5 are respectively side views in axial section of a detection clamp usable in device according to the invention.
• Figure 6 is a schematic representation illustra the principle of operation of a detection clamp in u monitoring installation of the type shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 7 is a schematic partial perspective view of a sliding door display case equipped with an electric lock associated with a magnetic detection device.
• FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the electronic control and protection circuit against the vehicle fitted with the electric lock shown in FIG. 7.
• the monitoring device involves, on the one hand, associated with each object to be protected, a beacon 1 comprising at least one high frequency emitter circuit 2 capable of generating, for example an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 433.92 MHz modulated in frequency modulation by a microcontroller and on the other hand, distributed in the protected space, a plurality of local units R- ⁇ , 2, R3, R4, provided with receivers tuned to the frequency of beacon transmitters.
• the different local units R ⁇ , R2, R3, 4 are connected to a central unit UC comprising a processor associated with peripherals such as a keyboard / CE screen console, a printer I as well as possibly a remote alarm transmission system vocal synthesis.
• the central unit UC can for example be designed so as to manage eight independent zones, by means of cards which ensure the management of one zone each.
• Each zone comprises up to one hundred and twenty-seven local units Ri, R2, R3, 4 connected to each other and to the central unit UC via a network.
• RS 422 type for example at 9600 baud in closed or open loop.
• the central unit UC ensures a permanent dialogue with the loops of local units according to a specific protocol.
• the beacons 1 equipping the objects to be monitored can comprise, as shown in FIG. 2, a high frequency transmitter circuit 2, using an FM synthesizer connected to a message editor 3.
• This transmitter circuit 2, as well as the message editor 3, is supplied from a power source 4 which can, for example, consist of a battery, or an accumulator, by means of a controllable switch 5 (represented here by a transistor) whose control is ensured by a logic circuit 6 (indicated by an AND logic gate).
• One of the two inputs of this logic circuit 6 is connected to a validation circuit comprising a detector 7, such as, for example, an accelerometric type motion detector and a monostable rocker 8 which makes it possible to deliver a signal of authorization of predetermined duration (monostable period) following the detection of an acceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold.
• the second input of the logic circuit 6 is connected to the output of a wake-up circuit comprising an electromagnetic wave receiver 9 intended to receive a wake-up signal emanating from a transmitter 10 associated with the local units R (FIG. 3).
• the supply of the detector 7, of the monostable 8, of the logic circuit 6 and of the receiver 9 is provided by the source 4.
• the supply of the transmitter 2 and of the message editor 3 takes place via the controllable switch 5.
• the switch 5 in the absence of detection of the parameter monitored by the detector 7, the switch 5 is open and the circuits 2 and 3 are not supplied.
• the beacon 1 cannot therefore emit an alarm signal and consumes only a minimum quantity of energy (circuits 6, 7, 8 being low energy consumers).
• the detector 7 detects the monitored parameter, this detection causes the emission of an enabling signal by the monostable 8, when then the receiver 9 receives a wake-up signal emanating from the transmitter 10 of the local unit R on which it is tuned, the logic circuit 6 causes the closing of the switch 5.
• the circuits 2 and 3 are then supplied so that the editor 3 composes an alarm message which is transmitted to the local unit R by the transmitter 2.
• An additional energy saving can be obtained by means of the circuit shown in broken lines by which the supply of the alarm signal receiver 9 is controlled by a controllable switch 12 triggered by the monostable circuit 8, so that the receiver 9 is only supplied during the periods of emission of the enabling signal.
• the range of the receivers 11 equipping the local units R is greater than the range of the transmitters 11 of wake-up signals associated with these local units R, so that the receiver 11 can receive:
• beacons 1 located in a relatively large zone Zl and not having a wake-up circuit or whose wake-up circuit has been intentionally forced, which is for example the case of an object in front stay at fixed positions and therefore must not be displaced,
• beacons 1 equipped with wake-up circuits and which are therefore in the zone Z2 of range of the wake-up transmitter 10 and the detector of which has triggered the emission of an enabling signal .
• This second alternative relates for example to the case of beacons 1 equipping objects which can be moved inside a room but which must not leave it: the transmitter 10 of the local unit R is then arranged so that its range includes the passage volume of the access door to the room.
• the beacons 1 may also comprise a circuit for detecting the energy level of the batteries or cells of the power source 4.
• This circuit can include, as shown, a detector 13 capable of measuring the voltage across the power source 4 and which delivers a digital signal representative of this voltage, to the message editor 3, via a controllable switch 14. The latter is controlled by a decoder 15 placed at the output of the wake-up signal receiver 9.
• This level detection also uses a transmitter / receiver module M, which transmits, at the request of an operator, a coded signal for requesting information on the battery level, destination of the receiver.
• this signal When received by the receiver 9, this signal is decoded by the decoder 15 which causes the closing of the switches 5 and 14.
• the detector 13 can then measure the voltage of the source and transmit corresponding digital information to the message editor 3.
• the transmitter 2 then transmits this information to the receiver of module M which can display it or only indicates that the level of the source is sufficient or not.
• the module M may also be designed so as to emit a coded signal for temporary deactivation of the beacon.
• the decoder 15 could be designed so as to force the input of the logic circuit 6 for a pre-established duration, following the reception by the receiver 9 of the deactivation signal.
• the autonomous beacons 1 could consist of detection clamps such as those illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 which are intended to be secured by pinching to the object which one wants to protect (for example a textile object) and which include a detection system designed to detect both an opening of the clamp and a tearing of the object which was secured to the clamp.
• the clamp 20 consists of two arms 21, 22 articulated to one another by one end by means of a disengageable freewheel device 23 opposing the opening of the clamp 20 in the engaged position, and the two other ends of which are provided with two respective jaws 24, 25, one, 24, of these jaws carrying an elastically deformable support piece 26 engaged with a detector D (by example a microswitch) coupled to a TV monitoring device, E powered by a renewable energy source S.
• a detector D by example a microswitch
• this monitoring device comprises a radio transmitter E of limited range controlled by the detector D, so as to be able to pass from a standby state to a triggered state in which the transmitter E is authorized to transmit intended for a receiver R n of a surveillance network, such as that represented in FIG. 1, an alarm signal containing an identification message.
• This transmission can be carried out either immediately after the change of state of the detector D, or after this change, following the reception by a TV receiver of a wake-up circuit associated with the clamp 20, of a signal of alarm clock sent by the transmitter device 10 associated with the receiver R n of the surveillance network.
• the TV monitoring device, E associated with the clamp 20 may include timing means making it possible to authorize the transmitter E to transmit the alarm signal only for a limited period from the change of state of the detector D.
• the device according to the invention can also use as fixed beacons, for example self-protected closure for protection against theft of objects contained in enclosures 32 closed by a sliding door 33.
• such a device comprises a latch 31 disposed inside the enclosure 32 and designed so as to ensure self-locking in position closed of door 33 and to pass into the unlocked position under the effect of a control signal.
• a remote control device comprising a remote control unit 34 capable of transmitting a coded unlocked order and a receiver circuit 35, 36, 38 placed inside the enclosure 32 and designed so receiving the unlocking order and decoding this order, so as to transmit to lock 31, after recognition of the code, an unlocking signal for a limited period.
• This device also includes:
• a detection device 39, 39 ′ delivering a sign representative of the open or closed position of the door 33 and a processing circuit which receives the unlocking signal and the signal representative of the position of the door 33, and which emits a alarm signal in the event that the door 33 has remained open beyond a predetermined period of time after the emission of the unlocking signal.
• the processing circuit here comprises a first monostable rocker 38 triggered by the unlocking signal and which keeps the lock 31 in the unlocked state for a sufficient time to allow an operator to open the door 33 and a second monostable rocker 49 triggered by the sign of unlocking.
• the logic circuit 40 triggers the emission by a radio transmitter 41 of an alarm signal intended for a receiver R of the surveillance network located within its range in the case where the signal transmitted by the first monostable flip-flop 18 is l state 0, while the signal delivered by the detector 39 qu is then in state 1 indicates the open position of door 33.
• the detector 39 could be connected to the reset input of the monostable flip-flop 49 so as to cause the triggering of an alarm when the door 33 reopens during the metastable period of the flip-flop 49, triggered following an unlocking command followed by a first opening and then closing of the door 33.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=9470328

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

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• 1994
  • 1994-12-28 FR FR9415765A patent/FR2728991A1/fr active Granted
• 1995
  • 1995-12-21 WO PCT/FR1995/001713 patent/WO1996020463A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1995-12-21 EP EP95943258A patent/EP0748492B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-12-21 DE DE69519512T patent/DE69519512D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-12-21 US US08/702,604 patent/US5838234A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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