GB2262372A

GB2262372A - Security system for electrical and electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2262372A
Application number: GB9125647A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Christopher Gilhooley
Original assignee: BACHE HUGH ROBERT IAN
Current assignee: BACHE HUGH ROBERT IAN
Priority date: 1991-12-03
Filing date: 1991-12-03
Publication date: 1993-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-03
Also published as: DE69224752T2; CA2125154A1; GB9125647D0; GB2262372B; ES2115682T3; EP0615644A1; AU3089592A; WO1993011515A1; DE69224752D1; EP0615644B1

Abstract

In a security system for electrical and electronic equipment, each item of equipment has a security unit (10) coupled to its mains power input and storing an identity code unique to that item, and each mains power outlet socket (14) includes a security unit storing an identity code unique to that socket. A central computer (30) is powered from the mains and is arranged to poll the security units (10) of the items of equipment over the mains: the polled security unit (10) signals back an acknowledgement which is detected by the security unit of the associated mains socket (14), causing the latter security unit to signal back its identity code.

Description

Security System for Electrical and Electronic Equipment This invention relates to a security system to protect items of electrical and electronic equipment, particularly computer equipment.

Large organisations such as hospitals, colleges and large companies make increasing use of high value computer and other equipment. Unfortunately, this growth is accompanied by a growth in theft and misuse of such equipment, especially as the equipment is increasingly of a portable nature and in many organisations security is difficult to maintain because of the open nature of the premises. Although initially a record is made of who the equipment is issued to and where it should be located, this record quickly becomes out of date as the equipment is borrowed and moved to other locations within the organisation. A danger is that the equipment may become lost within the organisation and unavailable when required for use.

I have now devised a security system which enables the location of electrical and electronic equipment to be monitored on a real-time basis.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a security system for electrical and electronic equipment, comprising a group of first security units installed or for installing in respective items of equipment to be protected, each first security unit storing an identity code unique to the associated item of equipment and being coupled to or for coupling to a mains power input to the item of equipment, a group of second security units installed or for installing at respective mains power outlet sockets of premises in which the equipment is to be used, each second security unit storing an identity code unique to the associated mains power outlet socket and coupled or for coupling to the mains, and a central computer powered or for powering from the mains and including a communications interface coupled or for coupling to the mains, the central computer being arranged to poll the security units of one said group by signalling over the mains, the polled security unit signalling an acknowledgement back to the central computer over the mains and causing the associated security unit of the other group to signal its identity code back to the central computer over the mains.

For example in use of this system, the central computer polls the items of equipment held in its database, the security unit of the addressed item returning an acknowledgement: when this acknowledgement passes through the associated mains socket, the security unit of that socket detects that acknowledgement and responds by transmitting its identity code.

In this way, the location of all of the items of electrical or electronic equipment within the premises can be monitored on a real-time basis.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of a first security unit for each item of equipment; FIGURE 2 is a view of a wall socket incorporating a second security unit; and FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of a security system in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a security system in accordance with this invention comprises a plurality of first security units 10, one for each item of equipment to be protected, a plurality of second security units 20, one for each mains power outlet socket of the premises in which the items of equipment are located, and a central computer 30 with interface unit 32.

Referring to Figure 1, the first security unit 10 comprises a housing containing a circuit and a rechargeable supply battery for that circuit, this circuit including a memory storing an identification code unique to the item of equipment which it protects. The unit 10 is permanently fixed to the item of equipment and plugged into the power-in socket of the latter and includes a replacement power-in socket to receive a power lead 12. As shown in Figure 3, the power lead 12 is plugged at its other end into a mains power socket 14 of the premises.

Referring to Figure 2, each second security unit 20 may form an add-on to existing wall sockets e.g. 14, or it may instead by incorporated into a modified wall socket. The unit 20 contains a circuit which includes a memory storing an identity code unique to the mains socket.

Referring to Figure 3, the central computer 30 is connected to an interface unit 32, which is able to transmit signals from the computer onto the mains and is also able to pick up signals received over the mains and pass these to the computer. The system employs mains signalling at high frequencies, e.g. 500 to 600 Hz.

The central computer is arranged to poll in turn each of the items of equipment recorded in its database, by transmitting signals over the mains. When an item of equipment is polled, its security unit 10 recognises the transmitted signal from the computer as addressing that security unit, and the security unit 10 returns an acknowledgement signal to the central computer as confirmation, by signalling back over the mains. Further, the security unit 20 in the mains outlet socket detects the acknowledgement signal as it passes through that socket, and signals its own identity code back over the mains to the central computer.

In this way the central computer can keep an up-to-date record of which items of equipment are plugged into which mains outlet socket. The central computer keeps records of each item of equipment in the premises including identity code, manufacturer, type, serial number etc.

Should an item of equipment be plugged into a mains outlet socket but that socket is switched off, the security unit in that item of equipment can still be addressed and return its acknowledgement signal, because the high frequency signalling applied over the mains jumps the open contacts of the mains outlet socket.

Claims

1) A security system for electrical and electronic equipment, comprising a group of first security units installed or for installing in respective items of equipment to be protected, each first security unit storing an identity code unique to the associated item of equipment and being coupled to or for coupling to a mains power input to the item of equipment, a group of second security units installed or for installing at respective mains power outlet sockets of premises in which the equipment is to be used, each second security unit storing an identity code unique to the associated mains power outlet socket and coupled or for coupling to the mains, and a central computer powered or for powering from the mains and including a communications interface coupled or for coupling to the mains, the central computer being arranged to poll the security units of one said group by signalling over the mains, the polled security unit signalling an acknowledgement back to the central computer over the mains and causing the associated security unit of the other group to signal its identity code back to the central computer over the mains.

2) A security system as claimed in claim 1, in which the central computer is arranged to poll the items of equipment held in its database, the security unit of the addresses item of equipment being arranged to return an acknowledgement, and the security unit of the associated mains socket being arranged to detect that acknowledgement to signal its identity code.

3) A security system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, arranged to employ mains signalling at 500 to 600 Hz.

4) A security system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.