GB2285161A

GB2285161A - Theft alarm device

Info

Publication number: GB2285161A
Application number: GB9401019A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joel Harry Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-14
Filing date: 1994-01-20
Publication date: 1995-06-28
Also published as: GB9401019D0

Abstract

The theft alarm device comprises at least one first component Fig 1(a) operable to make a first response to movement in, around or of a first body and a second component, Fig 1(b) operable to detect said first response of said first component, said detection triggering an alarm mechanism 32 wherein said first component and said second component have a remote connection with each other. Preferably, said body is a vehicle, said first component includes a transmitter 16 and is located within or fitted to the said vehicle and said second component includes a receiver 18 and is operable in a second location of the user's choice, and said second component comprises both the detection means and the alarm means. <IMAGE>

Description

AN ALARM DEVICE This invention relates to an alarm device and, in particular, a remote sensing alarm device for the protection of moveable objects.

Alarm systems such as car alarm systems are widespread. The system usually incorporates a device for sensing movement of, in or around the car and for triggering an alarm if unauthorised movement, such as the vehicle door opening, occurs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle alarm system.

A problem with the presently available systems becomes apparent when cars are left in remote places or in places where the owner/user may not hear the alarm signal.

It is a further object of the present invention to overcome this problem.

Although detection systems can be very small alarm sounding systems are necessarily often more bulky.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide greater portability and versatility with both vehicle alarm systems and other alarm applications.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an alarm device comprising at least one first component operable to make a first response to movement in, around or of a first body and a second component operable to detect said first response of said first component, said detection triggering an alarm mechanism wherein said first component and said second component have a remote connection with each other.

Preferably, said body is a vehicle. Typically, said first component is located within or fitted to the said vehicle and said second component is operable in a second location of the user's choice.

Preferably, said second component comprises both the detection means and the alarm means.

The first component may be portable or permanently affixed to said first body.

Thus it will be appreciated that the alarm device is very versatile. For instance, the first component may be left in the body, for example a car, and the second component may be carried with the user such that any movement of the car, or of the doors or windows of the car will cause the first component to emit a signal which signal is detected by said second component causing the alarm to be triggered and the user alerted.

The first component may also comprise a corresponding alarm mechanism and thus ward off thieves or unauthorised persons.

The first component may emit a signal upon unathorised movement which signal is detected by said second component or optionally, the first component may cease to emit a signal upon unauthorised movement which break in emitted signal is detected by said second component.

The said first body may be a car, bicycle, motorised bicycle, or other moveable vehicle. In addition it may be any moveable object such as a garden gnome or ornament. It may be any moveable object such as a valuable possession within a building. The invention may be used to detect door movements.

In a novel application the invention can be used to detect a refrigerator door opening to warn the user or someone else of access to the fridge. Such an application would be very useful for dieting people or other applications where dietary control was required.

Additionally, the application could be very effective where the fridge was shared and would therefore warn other fridge users.

The alarm mechanism may comprise a siren, a light which may also flash on and off, a recorded warning, a horn or any other suitable warning or alarm mechanism.

The mechanism by which said first response is effected may comprise any of the following: Ultrasonic sensing; microwave beam; passive infra red; ultrasonic sound movement detection; glass break detection; voltage drop detection; vibration/motion detection; door switch activity; tilt switch activity; battery removal or disconnection detection; proximity detection using microwave radiation; handbrake release activation detection; personal code input sensing (keypad).

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle alarm device comprising at least one first component operable to make a first response to movement in, around or of a first body and a second component operable to detect said first response of said first component, said detection triggering an alarm mechanism wherein said first component and said second component have a remote connection with each other.

Typically, said second component is fitted to the exterior of the user's property.

The said second component may comprise a security light or an alarm or both which is triggered by said detection.

The said second component may also be fitted on the interior of the vehicle owners property or may be a portable device to be transported with the user to wherever the vehicle is driven.

Thus upon unauthorised movement in, around or of the vehicle the alarm mechanism will trigger and alert the user.

The second component may have a plurality of parts. Said plurality of parts may comprise, for instance; a first part for fitting to at least one location on the exterior of a building, in the vicinity of which the vehicle is to be left; a second part for fitting to at least one location in the interior of the said building; a third part to be carried wth at least one user; etc.

The first component may also comprise a plurality of parts. For instance, a number of vehicles may be alarmed in any one location and in such an embodiment each first component may be identical or separately coded so that unauthorised movement can be precisely identified.

Preferably, the transmitter is mounted in the passenger cell of the vehicle. The transmitter design permits of a very small device and may be mounted close to the windscreen or rear parcel shelf or may be adhered to the glass etc.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompany drawings in which: Fig. l(a) shows a schematic diagram of a first component; Fig. l(b) shows a schematic diagram of a second component; Fig. 1(c) shows an enlarged view of the transmitter and encoder system of a first component; and Fig. l(d) shows a simplified view of a receiver unit.

Referring to figures l(a) and l(b) the first component which takes the form of a vehicle mounted detector and transmitter unit (not shown), such able for mounting in a vehicle (not shown) comprises a frequency stable 40KHZ oscillator 2 which drive by way of an amplifier 3 a ceramic transducer 4 which radiates ultra high sound into the passenger cell of the vehicle. A second ceramic transducer 6 receives the transmitted radiation including all the reflections. The sound pattern received by the receiving amplifier 8 is considerably complex but settles in a few milliseconds into a stable signal.

The detector 10 upon receiving a stable signal from the said receiving amplifier 8 relaxes to a set high data state. The high data state is utilised to display a flashing light emitting diode (LED) (not shown) as a visual indicator that the alarm is active.

Upon an incursion into the passenger cell, the reflected ultra sound will rapidly alter and generate a new sound pattern and the receiving amplifier detector 10 will trigger to a low data state. The dectection of a new pattern will always be interpreted as an alarm condition.

The set low data directly triggers a monostable digital oscillator 12 driving the main transmitter 16.

The output from the said monostable digital oscillator 12 passes through a series of parallel units enabling one of 255 channels in an encoder unit 14 to be digitally encoded by the Holteck HT 12E encoder 14.

Which said encoded signal digitally modulates an F.M.

transmitter module 16 with one of 16 possible data patterns. The duration of the transmission is determined by the period of the monostable oscillator 12.

When the sound pattern perceived by the receiving module 18 by way of receiving antenna 20 and transmitting antenna 22 eventually stabilises, the monostable oscillator ceases to drive the transmitter device and the data resets to a high data state and thus waits for the next alarm condition.

The alarm device of the type described detects incursions into the vehicle cell. For protection of other cells, multiple devices may be required, such as a light switch under the bonnet to detect bonnet opening. Current sensing to detect both opening, motion detect to enable the detection of jacking up for wheel removal or tow away protection. Further improvements could comprise lights left on warning, low battery warning, handbrake operation warning etc.

Referring to fig l(b), the receiver modular 18 comprises a dual conversion superhetrodine radio receiver and signal conditioning circuitry. The signal conditioning circuitry providing a clear analogue and digital data output for connection to a Holtech decoder 24. The said decoder 20 is similar to the encoder 14 in the transmitter module. The decoder 24 provides jam and antenna tamper sensing circuitry necessary. The rapid response of the receiver module detects incoming signals within 3ms and enables the alarm detector circuitry 2ms later.

The actuation of the transmitter signal 26 emits a signal via antenna 22 to be received by the receiving module 18 via receiving antenna 20. The signal is thereafter decoded by decoder 24. If the signal is valid, of the correct channel and carrying the correct data bits alarm sense circuitry in an output dectector 28 enables alarm activate switches.

If the signal is invalid a signal receiving LED is illuminated to indicate possible operation of the system. If a valid alarm is sensed by output detector 28, a relay 30 (or similar solid state device), sets to alarm mode and self latches to retain the alarm sequence. Contacts of the relay 31 directly supply power to an alarm horn 32 mounted on the enternal case. Further contacts 34 send an activate signal to a wall mounted security lighting system. The design also includes a control pannel (not shown) which will reflect the alarm status and indicate which vehicle alarm has been triggered.

A depressible switch 36 resets the alarm by interrupting the self latching facility of the alarm sense relay. this in turn resets the alarm sounders with the exception of the 500 watt external lighting, this may remain on under the control circuitry, thereof to continue to detect movement by a built in PIR detector.

Cancellation of the alarm resets the receiver to continue to provide security cover for the alarm transmitter unit.

Various modifications and alterations to the embodiments of the invention described are envisaged. For instance, time settings to control the following; the duration of alarm sound, arm and disarm delays to permit entry and exit of vehicles; jam detection circuitry, typically 5 to 7 seconds before sounding the alarm, negates neighbouring units from triggering the alarms.

False alarm situations caused by alien alarm systems can be overcome by using; a different ultrasonic frequency, microwave beam technology, Infra red, adapted existing installations to provide the trigger for the transmitter.

It is envisaged that the receive device could be incorporated into existing property alarms and receiver unit embodiments can be designed to cooperate with said existing alarm systems.

A transmitter unit with a built in power supply will have long life and it is thus envisaged that it could be utilised to protect remote buildings, narrow boats, bicycles, bicycle sheds, tree houses, garden furniture and ornaments etc.

Furthermore, travelling salesmen or other motorists could monitor their car whilst staying in hotels etc. This would be especially useful where ordinary car alarms would be out of hearing range.

In some such embodiments, the incorporation of a simple movement sensor such as a pressure switch, contact switch or mercury bolt switch is used to activate the transmitter without incurring any loss of power when on standby. Typical battery life in such a use being 1.5 years or more.

The device in the simplest form thereof can be reduced to a very small component and thus give enhanced protection to objects within or near the property.

Further embodiments includes; a gate open alarm device to announce the arrival of a visitor such a postman or delivery man. The applications possible with this type of system are extremely varied.

Modified smoke detectors are envisaged to provide a remote warning that an alarm condition exists.

Various modifications to the transmitter are envisaged. The prototype described utilises an ultrasound sensing system but any of the following sensing devices could be utilised; microwave beam, passive infra red, ultrasonic sound movement detection, glass break detection, voltage drop detection, door switch activity, tilt switch for bonnet/boot, battery removal or disconnection detection, proximity detection using microwave radiation, handbrake release activation detection, personal code input sensing (key pad).

The installed detection device upon being triggered causes a VHF transmitter 16 to transmit 1 of 16 possible codes over a radio link using 1 of 255 channels, employing a digitally encoded frequency modulated or amplitude modulated or other modulation method signal with a one second duration. The transmitted carrier frequency is 418MHz +/- 80KHz with a typical data rate of 1.5Kbs at a power of 250 micro watts.

The transmitter 16 will continue to transmit as long as the alarm condition exists or until the transmitter is de-activated or an internal battery is exhausted. Battery life is approximately 1.5 years at 10 activations per day if unsupported by the main vehicle battery.

The physical dimensions of the transmitter, alarm detector and battery lend themselves to miniaturisation, using solid state components, surface mounted and discrete. It is envisaged that in one embodiment the transmitter will be coated with epoxy resins to provide invulnerability to acids, weather corrosive substances and tampering.

In external embodiments the receiver device can be mounted in weather proof casing which is mounted high upon a wall facing the body or bodies to be protected. In one embodiment such a casing contains the following: 1. main receiver Battery or transformer, 2. 240 volt mains supplied power supply to keep the Battery charged to its full working capacity, 3. logic device to decode a received alarm signal, 4. trigger device to activate external horns, sirens or bells, 5. anti tamper devices, 6. engineering test facility, 7. low battery alarm sensing device, 8. devices to permit remote deactivation of received alarm conditions.

In one embodiment the main receiver features include:- 1. compact surface mounted component board, 2. low voltage operation, 3. analogue and digital outputs, 4. carrier detect, tamper detect and jam signal outputs, 5. very high senstivity providing up to 100 meters range (typical), 6. compatibility with transmitter type.

In one embodiment the device include an internally mounted control panel which includes: 1. 1-4 car protection.

2. individual car isolation, 3. jam alarm warning, 4. sounder to warn of alarm condition detected, 5. main carrier detect (engineering facility), 6. anti tamper circuit.

Claims

1. An alarm device comprising at least one first component operable to make a first response to movement in, around or of a first body and a second component operable to detect said first response of said first component, said detection triggering an alarm mechanism wherein said first component and said second component have a remote connection with each other.

2. An alarm device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body is a vehicle.

3. An alarm device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first component is located within or fitted to the said vehicle and said second component is operable in a second location of the user's choice.

4. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, wherein said second component comprises both the detection means and the alarm means.

5. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first component may be portable.

6. An alarm device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first component is permanently affixed to said first body.

7. An alarm device according to any preceding claim,.

wherein the first component also comprises a corresponding alarm mechanism.

8. An alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the said first body may be: a car, bicycle, motorised bicycle, or other moveable vehicle; any moveable object such as a garden gnome or ornament or a valuable possession within a building.

9. An alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the said body is a refrigerator such that the device detects the refrigerator door opening to warn the user or someone else of access to the fridge.

10. A vehicle alarm device comprising at least one first component operable to make a first response to movement in, around or of a first body and a second component operable to detect said first response of said first component, said detection triggering an alarm mechanism wherein said first component and said second component have a remote connection with each other.

11. A vehicle alarm device according to claim 10, wherein said second component is fitted to the exterior of the user's property.

12. A vehicle alarm device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the said second component comprises a security light or an alarm or both which is triggered by said detection.

13. A vehicle alarm device according to claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein the said second component is fitted on the interior of the vehicle owners property.

14. A vehicle alarm device according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the said second component is a portable device to be transported with the user to wherever the vehicle is driven.

15. A vehicle alarm device according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the second component has a plurality of parts.

16. A vehicle alarm device according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of parts comprises: a first part for fitting to at least one location on the exterior of a building, in the vicinity of which the vehicle is to be left; a second part for fitting to at least one location in the interior of the said building; and a third part to be carried with at least one user.

17. A vehicle alarm device according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein the first component comprises a plurality of parts.

18. A vehicle alarm device according to claim 17, wherein a number of vehicles may be alarmed in any one location ad in such an embodiment each part of said first component is identically coded.

19. A vehicle alarm device according to claim 18, wherein each part of said first component is separately coded so that unauthorised movement can be precisely identified.

20. A vehicle alarm device according to any of claims 10 to 19, wherein said first response is effected by a transmitter.

21. A vehicle alarm device according to claim 20 wherein the transmitter is mounted in the passenger cell of the vehicle.

22. A vehicle alarm device according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter design permits of a very small device and is mounted close to the windscreen or rear parcel shelf or adhered to the glass.

23. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, wherein the mechanism by which said first response is effected may comprise any of the following: Ultrasonic sensing; microwave beam; passive infra red; ultrasonic sound movement detection; glass break detection; voltage drip detection; vibration/motion detection; door switch activity; tilt switch activity; battery removal or disconnection detection; proximity detection using microwave radiation; handbrake release activation detection; personal code input sensing (keypad).