Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B15/00—Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
  • G08B15/001—Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
  • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
  • G08B25/08—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
  • H04M11/04—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device of a sensor unit for a surveillance and/or a message system, comprising a body, which can move on a foundation, incorporating the sensor unit which encompasses a transmitter and receiver units for transmission of signals between the sensor and a central unit, where the body is arranged to take up arbitrary positions on a foundation.
• the invention also relates to an alarm system and an application of the sensor construction in an alarm installation.
• the invention is particularly relevant for a warning system, such as an alarm system, whereby gasses, heat, smoke, radiation such as in radioactivity, sound, light, pressure, liquids such as water from leakages, movement and signals in connection to, for example, GPS systems (position determinations) can be detected.
• the transmission to the centre can occur analogically to a mobile telephone system such as a GSM system, internet, at transmission of signals to display pictures (MMS) , video, sound, light, text and the like. It can also be envisioned that the transmitter unit can emit odours.
• the invention shall be explained in the following in connection with alarm systems which are based on warning or alarming when un-authorised movements from objects/persons occur in an area, such as in burglary and the like. However, the invention is not to be restricted to detection of un-authorised movements by people.
• Alarm systems can be based on PIR (passive infrared) - detectors, ultrasonic detectors, MX detectors and/or seismic detectors, or other types of sensor which are not specified further here.
• PIR passive infrared
• MX detectors ultrasonic detectors
• seismic detectors or other types of sensor which are not specified further here.
• PIR is the most reliable movement detector. It detects changes in heat through a series of lenses which divide the area into zones, both vertically and horizontally.
• This sensor type uses sound to detect movement.
• the detector is active by emitting ultrasonic signals.
• the detector can demonstrate, with the help of a Doppler effect, changes in sound when an object is moving.
• This type of detector is often used in surroundings which do not allow for optimal use of PIR. It can also be programmed to react to strong and loud sounds.
• the detector utilises microwaves as a radar. Thus it can see through walls, furniture and other obstacles. It is therefore ideal in bank premises, museums and public offices .
• This detector is sensitive to vibrations. By moving in a "listening position" on the floor it will be able to immediately detect shaking that arises from, for example, small explosions, dropping objects and so on.
• such detectors are positioned at strategic positions on walls (in corners) and in ceilings of the rooms that shall be surveyed. They are connected with the help of leads or wireless contact to an alarm centre that controls the surveillance of what the sensor sees and feels at any time.
• the centre unit of the alarm installation When the centre unit of the alarm installation is activated, it simultaneously activates all the sensors by way of leads or wirelessly.
• a manual or automatic control is carried out, and the actions can comprise, for example, a call-out (by a security firm, police, fire brigade and the like) and/or a sound alarm is triggered in the premises where the un-authorised movement is registered.
• a call-out by a security firm, police, fire brigade and the like
• a sound alarm is triggered in the premises where the un-authorised movement is registered.
• the permanently fitted sensors can be disconnected.
• the sensor according to the invention is characterised in that the body is a mobile ball in which the sensor unit with a transmitter and a receiver is fitted, as the ball comprises a drive element to rotate the ball, and also means to control the drive element and the sensor unit.
• the body is a mobile ball in which the sensor unit with a transmitter and a receiver is fitted, as the ball comprises a drive element to rotate the ball, and also means to control the drive element and the sensor unit.
• the alarm system according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises a body encompassing a sensor of the type given in the device claims, and the transmitter unit of the body is arranged to communicate with a telephone network, such as a mobile network.
• the sensor construction is used in an alarm system such as it appears in the claims 14 and 15 respectively.
• the invention in question increases the security of the alarm installation in that the sensor which detects movement in the premises moves arbitrarily around the premises itself, such that its position on the floor at any given time cannot be predicted.
• All the four sensor types mentioned above can be connected together in one alarm system according to the invention and be programmed as desired.
• the unpredictability lies in that the ball with the connected sensors is arranged mainly to be lying stationary on the floor, then move at similar or different time intervals in an apparently arbitrary distance and direction and thereafter remain stationary again.
• the body goes through sequences in which it moves and then lies still, said sequences being repeated as long as the alarm system is activated.
• the senor can be connected and detect both in the stationary mode and moving mode of the body.
• the sensor can be programmed such that the sensor is disconnected from detection mode when the body is moving. This can be carried out when a movement sensor that will react to the body' s own movements is used.
• the applied ball-robot according to the invention is designed to obtain an arbitrary direction of movement, and this arises in that a large number of different factors influence the robot's choice of direction of movement.
• One way to obtain this is by allowing the robot to be exposed to many collision moments, i.e. situations in which the robot, or the drive gear, collides with another element, something that initiates a change in direction.
• the robot in the alarm system is a mobile type that is described in Norwegian Patent application 2001 3685.
• a ball-formed outer shell and an inner drive gear is described.
• the drive gear inside the ball can be of any type.
• a drive gear in the form of balls as described in WO 99/30876, WO 97/25239, US 4,733,737, US 4,726,800, US 4,541,814 and US 4,501,569 can be used.
• the drive gear has control electronics to start and stop the drive gear, and also an energy source, for example, a battery.
• a preferred drive gear for the ball comprises a weight the position of which can be altered by a drive gear and where the weight moves along the inside of the ball's skeleton so that the ball' s centre of gravity changes with this resulting in a movement of the ball.
• the drive principle is based on the ball's centre of gravity continuously changing so that it rolls along the floor.
• the ball When the ball hits an object, for example, a chair leg or part of a wall, this will lead to an arbitrary change in direction. Thus, the ball gets an arbitrary movement pattern.
• the shape of the ball results in it moving with low friction against the floor.
• the ball can be constructed from any material, but the material that constitutes the outer surface of the ball must have a sufficient friction against the floor so that the rotating movements of the ball result in the ball moving in relation to the floor.
• the detector inside the ball shall transmit and receive signals
• the ball shell must be penetrable for such signals, and when the detector includes a camera that shall take pictures or a video recording, the ball shell must be of a transparent plastic or glass material.
• a preferred embodiment comprises a propulsion mechanism of a central shaft (centrally and permanently mounted inside the ball space) with a fitted weight, the position of which can be changed in that it can rotate around the shaft with the help of a drive gear.
• a propulsion mechanism of a central shaft centrally and permanently mounted inside the ball space
• a fitted weight the position of which can be changed in that it can rotate around the shaft with the help of a drive gear.
• the weight starts to move along the inside of the ball skeleton/ball shell the ball's centre of gravity will change with this resulting in the ball rolling on the floor.
• the ball will start to roll instead, while the weight remains suspended approximately vertically, underneath the shaft, when the ball rolls.
• the rotation stops the ball will roll to a position where the weight is lying at its lowest, down toward the inside surface of the ball that is nearest the foundation, i.e. the floor.
• One (or more) sensor is placed inside the ball with a transmitter unit that wirelessly transmits signals to the alarm centre of the installation, as is described above.
• the sensor can be placed on the opposite side of the weight/rotation shaft so that the sensor is always facing upward when the ball is lying still and the weight faces downward. The sensor will also face upward when the ball is rolling.
• the ball shell is manufactured from a material which is penetrable for the signals which the sensor transmits and receives, such as a plastic or glass material.
• the drive gear itself in the ball is arranged to be set by programming such that it can alter between being activated (roll) for a given time interval and to be inactivated (lie stationary) for a given time interval .
• Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a detector ball, with the internal elements being shown schematically, and also shows a possible connection to a charger unit.
• Figure 2 shows schematically how signal transmission takes place by way of a signal connection to a mobile network (GSM) by way of a suitable aerial system.
• GSM mobile network
• FIG. 1 A cross-section through such a ball 10 according to the invention is shown in figure 1.
• the ball has a shell that defines a hollow inner space 12, in which the propulsion mechanism, as well as the sensor with transmitter and receiver, are fitted.
• a shaft running centrally through the ball 10 is shown by 14.
• An internal housing part or a housing forming body 15 is arranged to be able to rotate around the shaft 14, i.e. that the shaft functions as an axis of rotation.
• the housing part 15 comprises a motor 16 with drive battery 18 and a weight element in the form of a weight 20. When the ball lies stationary the force of gravity causes the housing with the motor/battery/weight to "hang down" underneath the shaft.
• the sensor with the receiver/detector and transmitter unit 22 is permanently fixed to the housing diametrically on the opposite side of the weight 20, the battery pack 18 and the motor 16.
• the heaviness of the weight on the diametrically opposite side ensures that the front side 24 of the sensor will always face upward, toward the upwardly facing ball shell 26 whichever position the ball takes up or how the ball rolls.
• the drive motor stops the rotation, the ball will roll to or search for a stable position where the body 15 and the weight 20 remain hanging downwards. In this position, the sensor can carry out the detecting task, and the radiation permeable ball shell 10,26 leads through receiver signals 36 (to the sensor) that can imply unauthorised movement, and also transmitter signals 38 (from the sensor) which are sent further to the alarm centre.
• the battery 18 that drives the motor 16 can be supplied electricity from an external charger 30 on the outside of the ball shell by way of the lead 32, as the connection appropriately is made at the point where the stationary shaft 14 is secured to the ball shell.
• the transfer of electricity can also take place in a wireless way.
• a switch for manual starting and stopping of the ball is also preferably situated here.
• the detector unit 22 comprises the processor itself, encompassing a timer (or also a programmable data unit) which can be used to set the drive motor on the pattern of movement/stand still one desires the body to go through.
• a timer or also a programmable data unit
• the sensor can also program the sensor to be disconnected when the body is moving.
• Figure 2 shows the inventive detector ball placed in a building 40 shown schematically. If the sensor is a movement sensor inside the ball 10, it receives signals 36 that a person 42 is illegally inside the building. The receiver transforms the signal, or it takes the necessary pictures and sends this information on as transmitting signals 38.
• the signal can go by way of an aerial 44 to an alarm centre 46 and further to a telephone network 48, such as a broadband, internet or another suitable medium.
• the signal 38 can also be transferred directly to an external aerial 50 for further transmission to the alarm centre.
• the time periods in which the ball lies still are longer than the time periods in which the ball moves.
• a preferred pattern can be that the ball lies still for 20 minutes and then to move in arbitrary directions over a time period of 30 seconds, but other time windows for these two modes can also be chosen. Short intervals for movement and longer intervals of stand still to be in detection position are preferred.
• the types of sensors that can be applied inside the ball are sensors for registering movements, temperature. It can also comprise a camera for taking pictures. Furthermore, communication can take place by way of a mobile telephone system which is integrated into the ball, for transmission of SMS text messages about the status of the surveillance site and the like. Thus, signals (such as video recordings) can, for example, be sent directly to a house owner by way of his mobile telephone.
• an innovation for alarm installations that offers the following advantages :
• the sensor can be moved.
• the detection system of the ball can be adjusted to register all types of parameters.
• the robot/body/ball with the built-in sensor can constitute the whole alarm installation.
• the transmission body of the robot can, according to a specific example, be arranged such that it is connected directly to and communicates with a telephone network, such as a mobile network. Thereby warnings about the unauthorised movements can be sent to an ordinary telephone or a mobile telephone. The recipient (the person) can then carry out the necessary actions.
• the ball shall move completely arbitrarily on the foundation/floor.
• a transmitter that sends a signal to the ball's sensor unit can be at such stations and thereby inform whether the ball's distance to the station increases or decreases.
• the control system can be programmed such that a servo inside the ball displaces the weight 20 from its original and normal centre position, i.e. to the left or to the right. Such a change will make the ball change the direction of rolling. If the direction of rolling after some time (some seconds) turns out to be in a direction away from the station, then the servo pushes the weight to the other extreme position. The ball will thereby continuously change its direction of rolling, and systematically, albeit it slowly, move towards the mentioned position.
• Another way to solve this is to install an electronic circuit in the drive gear which can alter the polarity of the voltage from the battery.
• the drive element can thereby change direction of rotation and the body will thus change direction of rotation about the shaft 14, something which in turn causes the ball to change direction of rolling, as mentioned in the last paragraph.
• the ball will gradually approach the desired position.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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• 2002
  • 2002-07-04 NO NO20023258A patent/NO318000B1/no unknown
• 2003
  • 2003-07-04 AU AU2003281411A patent/AU2003281411A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-07-04 EP EP03741676A patent/EP1559080A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-07-04 WO PCT/NO2003/000232 patent/WO2004006204A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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