GB2146469A

GB2146469A - A theft deterrent and burglar alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2146469A
Application number: GB08420010A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Martyn Kaye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-09-10
Filing date: 1984-08-06
Publication date: 1985-04-17
Also published as: GB8420010D0; GB8324289D0; GB2146469B

Abstract

A theft deterrent and burglar alarm comprises an electronic circuit which produces the synthesised sound of a dog barking when triggered by an external noise picked up by a microphone 1, or by a signal from a burglar alarm, movement detector 9 or other external contacts 4. An electronic doorbell 6 can optionally be included in the circuit giving both a chime and the sound of a dog barking when the bell push 6 is operated. A different phrase of barking is produced by speech synthesiser 10 each time microprocessor 5 is triggered and increasingly aggravated barking is synthesised if the trigger is continued. As the circuit has low power consumption in the idle state, it can be run from batteries so as to be independant of mains failure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A theft deterrent and burglar alarm This invention relates to a theft deterrent and burglar alarm for private and commercial properties.

It is well known that a suitable dog, acts as a deterrent to thieves or as a burglar alarm by barking at any significant noise. However it is not always possible to own or keep a suitable animal, due to cost, circumstances, or safety.

An object of the present invention is to replace the desirable features of a guard dog, namely the ability to hear and the ability to bark, by solid state electronics.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a theft deterrent and burglar alarm comprising an electronic circuit including means to synthesise a sound of a dog barking and means to trigger production of the sound when external noise is picked up by a microphone.

Advantageously, production of the sound is also triggered by actuation of external contacts or buttons, or by signals from a burglar alarm, movement detector or similar security device.

An electronic doorbell may additionally be included in the circuit so that ringing of the doorbell also triggers production of the barking sound. In such instance there is preferably a different chime for the front and rear doors of a house. Advantageously it should be possible, when desired, to eliminate the dog bark whilst retaining the doorbell chime.

A preferred embodiment of the deterrentlalarm includes means to synthesise an increasingly aggravated barking sound when the means to trigger production of the sound continues to be activated.

Moreover, a different phrase of synthesised barking is preferably produced in response to each separate trigger and the circuit ideally includes means to continuously synthesise the sound of a dog barking by selecting different phrases in succession. In this way the present proposal is quite different from and indeed much preferred compared to a deterrent/ alarm incorporating a tape recording of a dog barking which cannot be varied and has to be rewound at intervals.

Advantageously the circuit of the present invention is so designed that it is possible to select the synthesised sounds of different types of dogs barking, so that there is variety once the alarm circuit is installed.

A preferred embodiment of the deterrent/alarm of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying circuit diagram.

External sound is received by a microphone 1 and fed to an amplifier 2 which increases the sound level enough to be fed to a comparator 3. There the sound level is compared to a preset value and when this is exceeded, a trigger pulse is generated to trigger a microprocessor 5. This microprocessor 5 combines trigger signals from the comparator 3 and from external contacts 4, which allow the microprocessor 5 to be triggered by signals from a burglar alarm, a movement detector or window and door contacts.

It is also possible, as indicated in the drawing, for the microprocessor 5 to be triggered by external bell pushes 6. When this occurs the microprocessor 5 generates either of two synthesised chimes on an output line 7 depending whether the front or rear bell push 6 was operated.

Further control signals are also fed to the microprocessor 5 from control switches 8. These switches 8 allow the selection of one of three different types of dog bark (SW1, SW2, SW3) whilst SW4 inhibits operation of the synthesised dog barking while still allowing the chime to operate.

When the microprocessor 5 has received a trigger pulse to produce a synthesised dog bark, it performs a number of functions.

Firstly it generates phrase select control signals which are transmitted via lines 9 to instruct a speech synthesister device 10 which phrase of sound to generate. When initially triggered the microprocessor 5 selects a random phrase from a group of phrases which simulate normal barking. After a period of about eight seconds, this particular phrase finishes and the microprocessor 5 checks for further trigger signals. If trigger signals from the microphone 1, the contracts 4 or the bell pushes 6 are still present, one of another group of phrases which produce a more aggravated barking is selected and soon. This process of selecting different phrases continues until all trigger signals to the microprocessor 5 finally cease.

When the trigger signals to the microprocessor 5 are finally removed, the microprocessor 5 is ready to select another phrase of normal barking at random from that particular group.

The speech synthesiser 10 is a specially designed integrated circuit normally used for reproducing the human voice usually rather a 'mechanical' voice is produced. In this instance, the human voice has been replaced by that of a dog barking. The sound information is held digitally in read only memory (ROM) on a speech chip, along with the necessary logic to convert it back to an analog output.

The resulting sounds from the speech synthesiser 10 are first buffered by an operational amplifier 11 before being combined at 2 with any sound from the synthesised chime output line 7. The combined sounds are fed to a low pass filter 13 which is designed for use with speech synthesisers and removes any digital noise still remaining in the combined signal. The output from the low pass filter 13 is fed to a power amplifier 14 where the sound output is increased to a suitable level to drive a loudspeaker 15. The complete unit is run from the mains using a power supply unit 16. However, since the entire circuit has a low power idle state it can easily be run from batteries incorporated into the supply unit 16 in the event of mains power failure.

1. Atheft deterrent and burglar alarm comprising an electronic circuit including means to synthesise a sound of a dog barking and means to trigger production of the sound when external noise is picked up by a microphone.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A theft deterrent and burglar alarm This invention relates to a theft deterrent and burglar alarm for private and commercial properties. It is well known that a suitable dog, acts as a deterrent to thieves or as a burglar alarm by barking at any significant noise. However it is not always possible to own or keep a suitable animal, due to cost, circumstances, or safety. An object of the present invention is to replace the desirable features of a guard dog, namely the ability to hear and the ability to bark, by solid state electronics. With this object in view, the present invention provides a theft deterrent and burglar alarm comprising an electronic circuit including means to synthesise a sound of a dog barking and means to trigger production of the sound when external noise is picked up by a microphone. Advantageously, production of the sound is also triggered by actuation of external contacts or buttons, or by signals from a burglar alarm, movement detector or similar security device. An electronic doorbell may additionally be included in the circuit so that ringing of the doorbell also triggers production of the barking sound. In such instance there is preferably a different chime for the front and rear doors of a house. Advantageously it should be possible, when desired, to eliminate the dog bark whilst retaining the doorbell chime. A preferred embodiment of the deterrentlalarm includes means to synthesise an increasingly aggravated barking sound when the means to trigger production of the sound continues to be activated. Moreover, a different phrase of synthesised barking is preferably produced in response to each separate trigger and the circuit ideally includes means to continuously synthesise the sound of a dog barking by selecting different phrases in succession. In this way the present proposal is quite different from and indeed much preferred compared to a deterrent/ alarm incorporating a tape recording of a dog barking which cannot be varied and has to be rewound at intervals. Advantageously the circuit of the present invention is so designed that it is possible to select the synthesised sounds of different types of dogs barking, so that there is variety once the alarm circuit is installed. A preferred embodiment of the deterrent/alarm of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying circuit diagram. External sound is received by a microphone 1 and fed to an amplifier 2 which increases the sound level enough to be fed to a comparator 3. There the sound level is compared to a preset value and when this is exceeded, a trigger pulse is generated to trigger a microprocessor 5. This microprocessor 5 combines trigger signals from the comparator 3 and from external contacts 4, which allow the microprocessor 5 to be triggered by signals from a burglar alarm, a movement detector or window and door contacts. It is also possible, as indicated in the drawing, for the microprocessor 5 to be triggered by external bell pushes 6. When this occurs the microprocessor 5 generates either of two synthesised chimes on an output line 7 depending whether the front or rear bell push 6 was operated. Further control signals are also fed to the microprocessor 5 from control switches 8. These switches 8 allow the selection of one of three different types of dog bark (SW1, SW2, SW3) whilst SW4 inhibits operation of the synthesised dog barking while still allowing the chime to operate. When the microprocessor 5 has received a trigger pulse to produce a synthesised dog bark, it performs a number of functions. Firstly it generates phrase select control signals which are transmitted via lines 9 to instruct a speech synthesister device 10 which phrase of sound to generate. When initially triggered the microprocessor 5 selects a random phrase from a group of phrases which simulate normal barking. After a period of about eight seconds, this particular phrase finishes and the microprocessor 5 checks for further trigger signals. If trigger signals from the microphone 1, the contracts 4 or the bell pushes 6 are still present, one of another group of phrases which produce a more aggravated barking is selected and soon. This process of selecting different phrases continues until all trigger signals to the microprocessor 5 finally cease. When the trigger signals to the microprocessor 5 are finally removed, the microprocessor 5 is ready to select another phrase of normal barking at random from that particular group. The speech synthesiser 10 is a specially designed integrated circuit normally used for reproducing the human voice usually rather a 'mechanical' voice is produced. In this instance, the human voice has been replaced by that of a dog barking. The sound information is held digitally in read only memory (ROM) on a speech chip, along with the necessary logic to convert it back to an analog output. The resulting sounds from the speech synthesiser 10 are first buffered by an operational amplifier 11 before being combined at 2 with any sound from the synthesised chime output line 7. The combined sounds are fed to a low pass filter 13 which is designed for use with speech synthesisers and removes any digital noise still remaining in the combined signal. The output from the low pass filter 13 is fed to a power amplifier 14 where the sound output is increased to a suitable level to drive a loudspeaker 15. The complete unit is run from the mains using a power supply unit 16. However, since the entire circuit has a low power idle state it can easily be run from batteries incorporated into the supply unit 16 in the event of mains power failure. CLAIMS

2. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in claim 1 further including means to trigger production of the sound when external contacts or buttons are activated, or when a signal is received from a burglar alarm, movement detector or similar security device.

3. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein an electronic doorbell is included in the circuit so that ringing of the doorbell also triggers production of the sound of a dog barking.

4. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 which has a low power idle state so that it can be run from batteries and thus be immune from mains power failure.

5. Atheft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in any preceding claim including means to synthesise an increasingly aggravated barking sound when the means to trigger production of the sound continues to be activated.

6. Atheft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the circuit includes means to produce a different phrase of synthesised barking in response to each separate triggering of production of the sound.

7. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in claim 6 wherein the circuit includes means to continuously synthesise the sound of a dog barking by selecting different phrases in succession.

8. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

8. Atheft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the circuit is so designed that it is possible to select the synthesised sounds of different types of dogs barking.

9. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 5 oct 1984 Superseded claims All New or amended Claims:- 8.

1. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm comprising an electronic circuit including a speech synthesiser operative to produce a sound of a dog barking, means to trigger production of the sound when external noise is picked up by a microphone, and means to cause the synthesiser to produce an increasingly aggravated barking sound when the aforesaid means to trigger production of sound continues to be activated.

2. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in claim 1 further including meanstotriggerproduc- tion of the sound when external contacts or buttons are activated, or when a signal is received from a burglar alarm, movement detector or similar security device.

4. Atheft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in claims 1,2 or 3 which has a low power idle state so that it can be run from batteries and thus be immune from mains power failure.

5. Atheft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the circuit includes means to produce a different phrase of synthesised barking in response to each separate triggering of production of the sound.

6. Atheft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in claim 5 wherein the circuit includes means to continuously synthesise the sound of a dog barking by selecting different phrases in succession.

7. A theft deterrent and burglar alarm as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the circuit is so designed that it is possible to select the synthesised sounds of different types of dogs barking.