GB2228814A

GB2228814A - Personal property alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2228814A
Application number: GB8903579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ben Magrill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-16
Filing date: 1989-02-16
Publication date: 1990-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-16
Also published as: GB8903579D0; GB2228814B

Abstract

An alarm system which comprises a transmitter kept on the person of the user, and a receiver attached to the property to be protected which is activated by movement. If movement is detected by the receiver, and the signal received from the transmitter should fall below a predetermined strength or is absent altogether, a loud audible alarm is emitted by the receiver. Even if the user intentionally leaves the property, as long as it remains stationary, no alarm will sound. Should the property then be interfered with, the alarm will activate immediately. The receiver is equipped with the means to adjust sensitivity, duration of alarm, loudness, range and will operate regardless of location. A lockable clip is attached to the receiver enabling it to be secured to most items of property. The transmitter incorporates a 'cut-out' to conserve batteries if no movement is detected over a short period. This invention will alert the user to any unauthorised movement of, or interference with, the protected property. <IMAGE>

Description

PERSONAL PROPERTY ALARM This invention relates to a personal, coded radio transmitter, property alarm.

There are various applications of coded radio microtransmitter/receiver systems already in use which rely on the strength of the radio signal not being impaired in order to function correctly. The inventive idea proposed relies on a diminutive effect on the strength of the radio-signal received to trigger off an audible alarm. In addition, the receiver incorporates a motion detector and is only activated upon movement. The micro-transmitter employs a timer, linked to a motion detector, so that if no movement is detected over a short period it will automatically deactivate to conserve battery power, reactivating immediately movement is detected.

Crime, unfortunately, is on the increase, and crime against personal property is particularly prevalent. Wherever personal property is left unattended, or simply out of direct view, the potential exists for it to be stolen, or interfered with. Pubs, restaurants, night-clubs and even cinemas are all suffering from an epidemic of handbag thefts. Even private offices and shops are targets for bag thieves. In fact, anywhere where personal property may be found is a potential target. Despite Crime Prevention Campaigns, and efforts made by the police, the trend is on the increase.

The micro-transmitter is a small unit which can be placed in the pocket, or attached to an item of clothing of the user. It emits a continuous radio signal, although if no movement is detected for a short period it will turn itself off to conserve power. As soon as movement is detected it will reactivate.

The receiver is also a small unit which is placed in, or secured to, the item of personal property to be protected, whether it be a handbag, briefcase, purse, car or other item.

When movement is detected the receiver will expect to receive a signal from the micro-transmitter. If no signal is received, or the signal received diminishes or ceases, the alarm will be triggered.

In practice, should the protected property be interfered with other than by the user, the micro-transmitter will either be stationary and no signal transmitted, or if it is transmitting, the signal received will diminish as the property moves out of range. In either case electronic circuitry will be triggered and the receiver unit will emit a loud audible alarm. The loser of the property will be alerted by the alarm, and the most likely action of a thief on hearing the alarm would be to drop the property and run.

Should the user intentionally move away from the protected property for any reason, as long as the receiver is stationary the alarm will not be activated. However, should the property containing the receiver then be moved by another person, the receiver will be out of range and not receive the expected signal from the micro-transmitter, and the alarm will immediately be triggered.

Four specific examples of this inventive idea will now be explained by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrams in which: FIGURE 1 shows in an elevated view, a woman sitting in a public place with her handbag hanging over the back of her chair; (or placed underneath it). The receiver is secured inside the handbag, (or inside the purse), and is inactive as no movement is detected. The sensitivity is set to maximum, and the alarm set to cease when movement ceases. It is adjusted to pick up a signal transmitted from within a short range. The micro-transmitter unit is clipped to the woman's belt.

FIGURE 2 shows that the woman has moved away from the handbag momentarily, and the receiver is out of range of the microtransmitter. However, as the receiver is stationary and not expecting a signal, the alarm is not activated.

FIGURE 3 shows that a thief has managed to remove the handbag without being seen, but the movement has activated the receiver.

If the woman is still away from the bag, the micro-receiver will already be out of range and the circuitry will be immediately triggered, sounding the alarm. Should the woman have returned to her seat when the bag is taken, the receiver. will receive the signal from the micro-transmitter, but as the thief moves away, the signal will diminish and once again, circuitry is triggered and the alarm activated.

If for any reason the micro-transmitter had been stationary for a short period and automatically turned itself off, when the bag was moved, as no signal would have been transmitted, none would have been received. Therefore the alarm would have been activated immediately upon movement.

FIGURE 4 shows an elevated view of a woman walking alone, late at night, in a quiet street. The receiver is secured inside her handbag and the alarm is set to sound for a short period after movement has ceased. Sensitivity is set to maximum and it is set to pick up a signal from within a short distance. The microtransmitter is in her coat pocket. As she walks, both the microtransmitter and receiver are operating, the signal is within range and is being received by the receiver.

FIGURE 5 shows that if the woman were to be attacked for any reason, or believe she is about to be attacked, she need only throw her handbag away to activate the alarm. As the handbag moves out of range, the signal received by the receiver in the handbag diminishes sufficiently, and the circuitry is triggered.

Although the movement detected by the receiver will cease immediately the handbag settles on the ground, the alarm will continue for a short period, sufficient to scare off the attacker and summon help.

FIGURE 6 shows an elevated view of a car left parked and unattended in a quiet street. The receiver is hidden inside the car and is set to sound for a short period following cessation of movement. Sensitivity is on minimum. The micro-transmitter is in the drivers pocket, or attached to his key-ring. The range setting is unimportant.

FIGURE 7 shows that should a thief attempt to steal the car, even if he manages to open the door, as soon as he gets in the car the movement will be detected and the receiver will activate and expect to receive a signal. However, as the micro-transmitter is out of range their is no signal, the circuitry is triggered and the alarm immediately activated and continues for a short period.

If the thief did not want to steal the car, but property from within the car, should he physically enter the vehicle, for example to remove the radio/cassette player, the same result would occur. However, the normal method of entry to a vehicle is to smash a window. The action of breaking, or attempting to break, a car window inevitably results in movement of the vehicle. This movement would be enough to activate the receiver and, once again, as the micro-transmitter is out of range, the alarm will immediately activate and sound for a short period.

In all these examples the alarm would have the effect of scaring off the thief or attacker, and if other people are nearby, possibly result in his detention.

The above example are only a selection of the possible uses for such a Personal Property Alarm.

Referring to the drawings, the receiver comprises a small box, designed in such a way that it is capable of being securely attached to most items of personal property.

This device contains the necessary electronic circuitry to carry out the functions described in the examples given.

That is:1. When movement is detected, to receive a radio signal transmitted from a variable distance to be controlled by a radio-tuner housed in a micro-transmitter device.

2. To detect any diminutive effect, or recognise when no signal is being transmitted by the micro-transmitter device.

3. To emit a loud audible alarm when any diminutive effect of the signal is detected, or no signal is transmitted by the microtransmitter device.

4. To allow the choice between an alarm which will cease immediately upon cessation of movement, or an alarm which will sound for a short period after movement has ceased.

5. To allow for the sensitivity of the movement detector to be altered to detect the slightest of movements, or to allow for some degree of movement before activation, depending on use.

6. The ability to operate, even if the device is shielded by being placed within the property to be protected.

7. To allow the desired receiving range to be varied from zero, ie, any movement activates alarm, to several tens of meters, to allow a variety of uses.

In addition, the receiver device will include the following features:1. A manual on/off switch to allow the device to be turned off when not required.

2. The capability to provide a quiet mode to be used to test the system, signal low battery level, or be used in place of the loud alarm in situations where a loud alarm is not required.

3. A locking, universal clip which will allow the receiver to be secured to a variety of items of personal property.

4. All external switches used on the receiver device will be of a type that cannot be adjusted except by an authorised user.

Referring to the drawings, the micro-transmitter unit comprises a small box capable of being placed securely in the pocket of an item of clothing, or to be securely attached to an item of clothing. It may take the form of a 'radio pager' type unit which can clip to the belt or pocket, or the form of a 'pen' so that it may be carried in an unassuming manner.

The micro-transmitter device contains all the necessary electronic circuitry to carry out the functions in the examples given.

That is:1. To transmit a radio signal at one of a number of frequencies pre-set in the circuitry by the manufacturer.

2. To enable the device to turn itself off if no movement is detected over a short period.

3. If deactivated, to reactivate immediately movement is detected.

4. The ability to operate even if the device is shielded by being placed within an item of clothing.

In addition, the micro-transmitter device will incorporate a manual on/off switch, of a type that can only be operated by the authorised user, to allow the device to be turned off when not required.

The Personal Property Alarm as described may be adapted for use for any purpose where it is required to know when any object is interfered with, or when any animal, child or elderly person moves out of a specific area.

Claims

1. An anti-theft alarm system for personal property protection, comprising a radio transmitter to be carried by a person and operable to transmit a predetermined signal, and a radio receiver to be carried in, or on, an iten of personal property seperate from the person, and operable to receive such a signal, the receiver being activatable by movement and so responsive, when activated, to absence of the signal, or reduction in the strength thereof as to cause an alarm to be provided.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises means to cause transmission of the signal to be discontinued after a predetermined period when the transmitter is stationary.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises means to cause transm.iss-on of the signal to be immediately resumed upon movement of the transmitter, following previous discontinuation of the signal.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver comprises means to so adjust the range of reception of the signal by the receiver as to vary the threshold of response of the receiver to said absence, or reduction in strength, of the signal.

-. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver comprises means to effect selection between immediate termination of the alarm on the one hand, and continuation of the alarm for a predetermined period on the other hand, when movement of the receiver ceases.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver comprises means to adjust the sensitivity of the receiver to movement effecting activation thereof.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm is an audible tone.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the receiver comprises means to vary the loudness of the tone.

9. A system as claimed in any one of the claims 4 to 8, wherein the receiver comprises means to inhibit unauthorised adjustment of the operation of the receiver.

10. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver is provided with a lockable attachment means for attachment of the receiver to said item of personal property.

11. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitter is provided with attachment means for attachment of the transmitter to said person.

12. An anti-theft alarm system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.