GB2260401A

GB2260401A - Security systems

Info

Publication number: GB2260401A
Application number: GB9117349A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Newton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-08-10
Filing date: 1991-08-10
Publication date: 1993-04-14
Also published as: GB9117349D0

Abstract

A security system particularly for use on game estates to detect the presence of poachers comprises one or more pyroelectric detectors (12) arranged to transmit a radio signal when an intruder is detected, and receiving means which can comprise either a radio receiver (14), or a paging unit (16) or a combination of radio receiver/transmitter (14) and a paging unit (16). Any of these receiving means can have indicator lamps (44), (46) each corresponding to a detector, to indicate the detection of a signal initiated by an intruder. A receiver may alternatively activate warning devices, e.g. sirens and spotlights. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY SYSTEMS The present invention relates to security systems, and is particularly though not exclusively concerned with a security system to detect the presence of poachers on game estates.

The present invention comprises improvements and modifications in the type of security system described and claimed in my British Patent No. GB 2190192.

In this earlier patent specification there is described a security system comprising one or more pyroelectric detectors which are arranged to transmit a radio signal when the presence of an intruder is detected, a radio receiving and transmitting means which receives a transmitter signal from the detector and transmits a signal or signals to a paging means.

According to one aspect of the present invention the radio receiving and transmitting means includes a number of indicator lamps of a sufficient number that for each detector there is a corresponding indicator lamp on the radio receiving and transmitting means. In such an arrangement the paging means can also have if required a similar number of indicating lamps though only one indicator lamp may be provided if necessary.

According to a further feature of the present invention the radio receiving and transmitting means can be dispensed with and the paging means can be provided with only one lamp to indicate that the presence of an intruder has been detected by a signal from at least one detector.

According to a further feature of the present invention the radio receiving and transmitting means can also be arranged to activate warning signals for example audio warning signals or visual warning signals. These warning signals can be arranged to be activated in the area where the presence of the intruder is detected or in the area where the radio receiving and transmitting means is located or where the paging means is located.

According to a further feature of the invention a number of detectors can be provided with a radio signal repeating station, the repeating station forwarding signals transmitted by the detectors to the radio receiving and transmitting means.

For example, the radio signal repeating means can be located in hilly terrain so that the signals from the various detectors can be relayed to the radio receiving and transmitting means, since without the provision of the repeating means the signals from the detectors would not reach the radio receiving and transmitting means.

According to a further feature of the invention, the paging means may not be provided and the security systems according to the invention can comprise a number of detectors and associated transmitters together with a radio receiving station, the radio receiving station having a visual display to indicate which detector is transmitting a signal. An audio signal can also be generated by a transmission of a detection signal to the receiving station.

Also in this arrangement the receiving station can be arranged to operate audio or visual warning systems or a combination of audio or visual warning systems.

The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a known form of security system, Fig. 2 shows a first form of security system according to the present invention, Fig. 3 shows a second form of security system according to the present invention, Fig. 4 shows a third form of security system according to the present invention, Fig. 5 shows a fourth form of security system according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a security system disclosed and claimed in my British Patent No.

GB 2190192A. There is shown a security system at (10) comprising one or more pyroelectric detectors or heat sensors (12), a radio receiving and transmitter means (14) and at least one paging unit (16), each sensor (12) is a self contained weather proof unit powered by a NiCad rechargeable battery (18), a transmitter, and an on/off switch (20).

Each sensor (12) is arranged to detect the presence of human intruders by the detection of heat radiated from the intruder, ie changes in infra-red levels, and the sensitivity control is adjusted to detect a human intruder and to ignore the presence of animals such as dogs, cats, foxes, badgers etc, each sensor (12) is relatively small and can be easily concealed in shrubbery, undergrowth or in trees so that it is difficult to detect by eye, each sensor (12) is arranged to transmit its signal at a unique frequency within the allotted waveband so as to activate the corresponding indicator lamp on the paging unit (16).

Each sensor (12) also has a timer so that a signal is transmitted for a given period say two to four seconds once the sensor has been triggered by a change in infra-red level of sufficient magnitude. The provision of a timer avoids the need for a reset button on the paging unit.

The receiving and transmitting means (14) has a receiving aerial (26), an amplifier and transmitter, on/off switch (28), a power on indicator lamp (30) and transmitting aerial (32).

The receiving and transmitting unit (14) is powered from a domestic mains supply via a plug (34). Each paging unit is portable and approximately pocket sized having a receiver, a speaker (36), a battery (38), an on/off switch (40), a reset button (42) and a number of indicator lamps (44), each sensor (12) includes a pyroelectric detector (12A), a Fresnel lens formed from a plastics material to allow the passage of infrared rays, and a transmitter (12C) having an aerial (12D).

The paging means (16) is only varied by the detection of the reset button (42).

In operation the sensors (12) are located at appropriate places around and within the area in which intruders are likely to be detected, for example adjacent likely access and escape routes, nesting and roosting sites and rearing sites.

The receiving and transmitting unit (14) will be located within the transmitting range of all the sensors (12) and the paging unit will be carried by the gamekeeping or security guard as the case may be.

When more than one sensor is used then each unit will be numbered and will have a unique transmitting frequency so that the receiving and transmitting means (14) can transmit an appropriate signal to the paging unit to illuminate the respective one of the indicator lamps on the paging unit.

This will enable the guard or gamekeeper to know which sensor unit is in operation and thus the approximate location of the intruder. As well as operating one or more of the indicator lamps the paging unit also has an audible warning. When a sensor unit detects the presence of a human intruder a signal will be transmitted to the receiving and transmitting means (14) and a signal or signals will be transmitted to the pager unit which will then give out an audible warning and one or more of the indicator lamps will be illuminated.

The gamekeeper or guard will know immediately whether intruders are present and will also know their approximate location. He will then be able to summon assistance and proceed to intercept the intruders.

Referring to Fig. 2 in which similar components to those illustrated and described with reference to Fig. 1 are shown, the receiving and transmitting means is provided with one or more indicator lamps (46) each one corresponding to one of the sensor units (12). The paging unit (16) can also have a similar number of indicator lamps (44) as described with reference to Fig. 1. However only one indicator lamp may be provided if required on the paging unit, and the unit (14) can be provided with as many indicator lamps (46) as there are sensor units (12).

The security system operates in a similar manner to that described with reference to Fig. 1 except that the indicator lamps which are on the receiving and transmitting means (14) will be illuminated to indicate which one or which ones of the sensor unit (12) are operating. A person located in the same location as the receiving and transmitting means (14) will then be aware of the approximate location of any intruder.

Referring to Fig. 3 which shows a security system comprising only one or more detectors (12) each unit only having a short range transmitter and one paging unit (16). The receiving and transmitting means (14) is omitted as the security system is only intended for use to cover a small area, for example domestic premises. The paging unit can have a number of indicator lamps, the number corresponding to the number of detectors provided or only one indicator lamp may be provided which responds to a signal from any one of the detectors in use.

The detectors can be located in the vicinity of the premises or an area to be detected at or adjacent likely points of access by an intruder.

The paging unit (16) need not have any indicator lamps, but need have only an audible warning signal.

If an intruder is detected then an indicator lamp on the paging unit will operate, as will also an audible warning, should it be necessary. There will then be an indication that an intruder is present and appropriate action can be taken.

Referring to Fig. 4 which shows a similar form of security system to that shown in Fig. 3, the receiving and transmitting means and the paging unit can be dispensed with and a signal from one or more detectors can be usess to operate an audible warning signal or a visual warning signal. For example, the signal from one or more of the detectors can be used to operate a siren and one or more spotlights or a combination of spotlights and sirens.

Referring to Fig. 5 there is shown a security system which is particularly useful in hilly terrain where signals from detectors may not be able to reach a base receiving and transmitting means. A radio signal repeating station (48) is provided which is in the line of radio sight with a group of detectors (12) and also within radio sight of the receiving and transmitting means. Thus a signal from one or more of the detectors (12) will be relayed by the repeating station (48) to the radio transmitting means (14). In this case the unit (14) can have a number of indicator lamps (46) as described above with reference to Fig. 2. The unit (14) will then transmit a signal to a paging unit (16) which itself may have either one indicator lamp or a number of indicating lamps.

The paging unit (16) can also have an audio generator to emit a signal when an intruder is detected.

A separate repeating station can be provided for each group of detectors (12) at locations within the area which is to be protected by the security system. In some cases there may be a number of detectors (12) whilst in other cases only one detector may be necessary depending upon the area being 'watched' by the detector.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 5 can be modified by arranging a group of detectors, for example five or six to transmit signals over a relatively short range, for example one hundred yards to a secondary base station. The secondary base station signal is relayed to the main base station by means of a repeater station (48).

Referring to Fig. 6 there is again shown a security system similar to that shown in Fig. 2 except that the paging means can be omitted. The receiving and transmitting means (14) is only a receiver and is provided with a number of indicating lamps, each responding to one of the detectors. The receiving means (14) is provided with an audio signal so as to indicate that an intruder has been identified and one of the indicator lamps will also operation to show such a detection.

In all cases the receiving and transmitting means or receiver only can be provided with indicating means which is operated b.y a signal from one or more of the detectors (12) to indicate that the voltage level of the battery is reaching a minimum level. It is important that the battery level is monitored since once the battery voltage reaches a low level erroneous signals will be generated by the detector. The battery voltage level warning indicators in the base unit will correspond to each of the detectors in the field.

In all forms of security system according to the present invention, the base unit can have an audio warning signal to indicate the presence of an intruder as well as indicator lamps.

Claims

1. A security system comprising one or more pyroelectric detectors arranged to transmit a radio signal upon detecting the presence of an intruder and signal receiving means adapted to receive the transmitted signals from the at least one detector and means to indicate the reception of a transmitted signal.

2. A security system as claimed in claim 1 in which the signal detecting means comprises a pager.

3. A security system as claimed in claim 1 in which the signal receiving means comprises a radio receiver.

4. A security system as claimed in claim 1 in which the signal receiving means comprises a pager and a radio receiving and transmitting means adapted to receive the transmitted signals from the or each detector and to transmit a signal or signals to the pager.

5. A security system as claimed in claim 4 including signal repeating means; the repeating means forwarding signals transmitted by the or each detector to the radio receiving and transmitting means.

6. A security system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the signal detecting means includes visual or audio indicating means, or a combination of visual and audio indicating means.

7. A security system as claimed in claim 6 in which the signal indicating means comprises lamps on the radio receiving and transmitting means.

8. A security system as claimed in claim 6 in which the indicating means generates warning signals emitted in the area of the signal detecting means.

9. A security system constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described and with reference to figure 2; figure 3; figure 4; figure 5; and figure 6.