GB2276479A

GB2276479A - Anti-loss alarm system

Info

Publication number: GB2276479A
Application number: GB9306003A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason Mager Robert Macwhirter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-23
Filing date: 1993-03-23
Publication date: 1994-09-28
Also published as: GB9306003D0

Abstract

The system enables the protected object, person or animal to be free to move within an area so long as it remains within a specified distance from its guardian. This would enable say, a child to be free to play in a park but would trigger an alarm if it was taken or moved out of the range specified by the guardian. The system includes a control unit for the guardian and a remote unit for, the object or child. If an attempt were made to tamper with the Remote unit, Fig 3, warning alarms would be activated to alert the guardian. Only the guardian holding the Control unit, Fig 1, is able to disarm the system. In the same way only the guardian is able to adjust the range setting. The holder of the Control unit is made aware of situation changes such as low battery power by way of a warning indicator light 2 fitted to the Control unit. <IMAGE>

Description

DIVAGATI()N ALARM This invention relates to a divagation alarm.

Alarm systems are commonly Fused to protect property from theft and disturbance. Warning sounds or lights are activated when the protected area is entered or when an attempt to enter is effected.

Alarm systems do not indicate that property has been moved from a specified area.

A divagation alarm is comprised of two parts, the Control unit, attacl-led to the guardian and the Remote unit attached to tTle protected object, person or animal, means to transmit and received messages between the two units with the sole purpose of raising an alarm on both units should the messages not be received or not recognised when received due to interference or the range parameters being exceeded. Warning lights and sounds are emitted when the protected item wanders or is removed a specified distance from the guardian.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described b way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which-: Figure 1 shows the external features of the Control unit, whins is kept in the possession of the guardian.

Figure 2 shows the internal features of the Control unit.

Figure 3 shows the external features of the Remote unit, which is attached to the protncted objected, person or anim-l.

Figure 4 shows the internal features of the Remote unit.

Figure 5 shows a schematic of the Control unit.

Figure 6 shows a schematic of the Remote unit.

Figure 7 show the relationshI; p Between the Control unit and the Remote unit.

Referring to the Control unit Figs. 1,2 & 5, which is a high powered radio receiver, receives a coded pulse signal from the Remote unit Figs 3 & 4 which can be altered, at manufacture, to prevent other units from interfering with each other. If the signal becomes weak, suffers interference or is disturbed or disrupted in any way for more than a specified number of pulses an audible alarm will sound from the Remote unit in one tone and from the Control unit in another. The Control unit also transmits the signal that controls the Remote unit, in as much as, if the signal was no longer received by the Remote unit the audible alarm sounds.

The Control unit is fitted with a test button 3 which sounds the audible alarm on the Remote unit and if for any reason this cannot be heard lights a warning light 4 on the Control unit if or when the Remote unit goes out of range.

Control unit Figs 1 & 2 is fitted with range adjustment feature 5 which is situated inside the casing so that range cannot be accidentally altered. It is also fitted with a reset button 6 a battery low light 2 and a socket 7 to recharge the Remote unit Figs 3 & 4. A separate jumper cable fitted between sockets Figs 1 & 2 , 7 and Fig 3 & 4, 22 are the only means by which the guardian can switch off Remote unit. The Control unit is fitted with an on/off switch 8, speaker 9, aerial 10 incorporated into the back casing, control system 11, receiver circuit 12, transmitter circuit 13, and a battery pack 14. The unit is designed to take standard AA size rechargeable batteries. This unit is housed in a plastic outer casing 1.

The control system 11 within the Control unit Figs 2 & 5 functions as follows. As the receiver 12 and the transmitter 3 share the same aerial 10 they have to operate at different times so the control system 11 alternates them. The control system 11 also regulates the ranee adjustments, interference, checks battery output to supply the unit and lights the battery low light if necessary, runs the test program when the test button 3 is depressed, also runs the reset program when the reset button 6 is depressed. The control system 11 processes all the data transmitted by the Control unit Figs 2 & 5 and received by the Control unit via the transmitter 13 and receiver 12 circuits and raises the alarm if the correct information is not returned.If the control system 11 detects irregularities with the information received or the information is not received from the control system 20 of the Remote unit Figs 4 & 6 the alarm is raised also lighting the warning light so that if the audible alarm on the Remote unit cannot be heard visual indication will be given until the reset button 6 has been depressed.

Remote unit Figs 3, 4 & 6. This is attached to the object to be protected with security fastenings which can only be removed by the special tool provided. If the protected bbject is removed away from the guardian further than the specified range from the Control unit, see Fig 7, a loud and piercing audible warning sound signal will be emitted and will continue until it is within the specified range and the reset button on the Control unit Fig 1, 4 has been depressed.

The power for the remote is supplied by internal rechargeable batteries which can only be charged by the Control unit adapter which is included. The remote unit Fig 3 is to be housed in an outer plastic casing 24 constructed of strong durable plastic specifically designed to protect the unit's circuitry from tampering.

The Remote unit Figs 4 & 6 transmits a coded signal that is received and identified by the Control unit Figs 2 & 5. It also receives a coded signal from the Control unit which, when interrupted or weak, triggers the audible alarm. The Remote unit cannot be turned off, disconnected or silenced by anyone except the holder of Control unit.

Remote unit Figs 3, 4 & 6 is fitted with a battery low light 15, anti tamper switch 16, high output buzzer 17 receiver 18, transmitter 19, control system 20, battery pack 21, recharge point 22, aerial incorporated into back casing 23.

The guardian can set the range within which the protected object is free to move before audible and visual alarms are activated. See Fig. 2 and Fig 7.

The control system 20 within Remote unit Figs 3, 4 & 6 functions as follows. The control system in the Remote unit tells the receiver 18, normally on, whe it receives the signal from the transmitter 13 in the Control unit Figs 1, 2 & 5 to turn itself off and tells the transmitter 19 to send its signal to the receiver 12 in the Control unit then reverts to normally on position for the receiver and awaits signal from Control unit. If the new signal is badly distorted by interference or any other corruption, or is not received within the specified time the alarm is raised. The control system 20 keeps a constant check on battery output. Should this drop below the required level it lights battery low light 15. The control system 20 also analyses all data transmitted and received by the Remote unit.

Claims

DIVAGATION ALARM 1 A divagation alarm comprising a Control unit Figs 1,2 & 5 and a Remote unit Figs 3, 4 & 6, weans to transmit and receive messages between the two unis via transmitter 13 and receiver 12 with the sole purpose ol raising an alarm on both nts should the messages not be received, or not recognised when received, due to interference or the range parameters being exceeded Fig 7.
2 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the guide means are provided to inform the guardian that the remote alarm and wiiatever it was attached to has been removed from the specified range.
3 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the guide meant are provided to monitor the battery output and give visible information of their current status by means of a battery low light 2.
4 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the guide means are provided to adjust its operating range by an internal control 5.
5 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 4 wherein the guide means are provided to be turned on and off via a switch 8.
6 A divngatjnn alarm as rlaiinn-d in Claims 1 to 5 wherein means are provided to ThrVr- batteries recharged vts via recharge point 7.
7 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 6 wherein means are provided to tet the system: through the test circuits controlled by the feist buton 3.
8 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 7 wherein means are provided to reset the system after the alarm has been raised and thus So pence the alarni via the reset button 6.
9 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 8 wherein means are provided to illuminate the warning light so that in the event the audible warning cannot be heard a visual warning is available via warning light 4.
10 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 9 wherein means are provided to emit audible warning via a loud speaker 9.
11 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 10 wherein means are provided to transmit and receive information via an integral aerial 10 in the back casing.
12 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 11 wherein means are provided to monitor and control all of the circuits inside the Control unit Figs 1 2 & 5 via the control system 11.
13 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 12 wherein means are provided for Remote unit Figs 3, 4 & 6 to receive and transmit messages to and from the Control unit. via remote receiver 18 and remote transmitter 19.
14 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 13 wherein means are provided to recharge batteries of Remote unit Figs 3, 4 & 6 via its recharge point 22.
15 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 14 wherein means are provided to sound an audible alarm via its integral buzzer 17 should the distance between the two units be greater than the specified range or not received or not identified when received.
16 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 15 wherein means are provided to keep a constant check on the status of the battery pack and inform of their status by means of a battery low light 15.
17 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 16 wherein means are provided to sound the alarm should the two halves of the outer casing be split via an anti tamper switch 16.
18 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 17 wherein means are provided to send and receive messages from the Remote unit Figs 3, 4 & 6 via the integral aerial 23 in the back half of the casing.
19 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 18 wherein means are provided to be switched off only by a jumper cable connecting the two units via Cheir recharge points 7 and 22.
20 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 19 wherein means are provided to protect itself and all the components within by a tough and shock resistant outer casing 24.
21 A divagation alarm as claimed in Claims 1 to 20 wherein means are provided to monitor and control all of the circuits in the remote unit via the control system 20.
22 A divagation alarm substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 to 7 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.