GB2396729A

GB2396729A - Remote monitoring security system for mobile property

Info

Publication number: GB2396729A
Application number: GB0319787A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Ian Nichols; Brian Henry Walter Ahern
Original assignee: YACHTMINDER Ltd; YACHTWATCH Ltd
Current assignee: YACHTMINDER LIMITED
Priority date: 2002-08-23
Filing date: 2003-08-22
Publication date: 2004-06-30
Also published as: GB0319787D0; GB0219702D0

Abstract

A remote monitoring security system for mobile property (such as boat, aeroplane, helicopter, caravan, motor car, lorry etc.) comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting the status of respective functional elements (preferably safety or security-sensitive elements), means for processing the signals generated by the sensors to determine the security status of the property and remote signalling means for periodically transmitting to a receiving station (e.g. the user's mobile telephone) at least one status report based on the signals from the sensors. Thus rather than merely providing an alarm indication when a security risk is detected, it provides a continual update that the security status of the property is still secure, thus providing a regular and comforting report to the user.

Description

A REMOTE MONITORING SECURITY SYSTEM FOR MOBILE

PROPERTY

The present invention relates generally to a remote monitoring security system for 5 mobile property. The present invention may be used to monitor the security of any form of mobile property, in particular yachts or other boats, aeroplanes, helicopters, mobile homes, motor cars, trailers, commercial vehicles and the like.

In the following description specific reference will be made to the application of the

10 present invention as a remote monitoring security system for yachts although its application to other forms of mobile property is not excluded thereby and will be apparent, with the appropriate variations and modifications, to those skilled in the art.

15 A yacht represents one of the largest items of expenditure which people make, second only to their home, and it is surprising that, especially in view of the circumstances in which most yachts are left unattended, greater attention to security of yachts has not previously been given. Although many yachts are moored in marinas which are relatively secure environments (at least from the land side) it is nevertheless the case 2 0 that very many yachts are moored in rivers, estuaries and other bodies of water where they are left unattended for long periods of time between occasions of use. Indeed, pleasure boats such as these are used relatively infrequently, rarely more than once each week, and often only once or twice each season.

À .e e:e:e.: À À À Moreover, with the constant traffic of small craft in regions where yachts are moored, there are many opportunities for vandals or thieves to board a vessel and remove from it valuable items of equipment, or even to steal the entire vessel by sailing it away, cutting it free from its moorings or towing it with the mooring ropes still attached.

5 This, however, is not the only risk to which moored vessels are exposed since at night or in periods of inclement weather there may be no people in the immediate vicinity so that any detrimental natural occurrence may take place without being observed. In storms and high winds, for example, it is not unknown for owners to discover their vessels having dragged their moorings and been blown onto shores or rocks and 10 damaged or destroyed. Other vessels may collide with them, in times of high temperatures fire may break out or the bilges may fill and the vessel sink or become partly submerged.

This risk of theft of component parts or the entire vessel may be counted to some 5 extent by the use of a self-contained alarm system operative to trigger an alarm such as an audible warning device, if an intruder is detected. Such audible warning systems are rarely used, for example because in the case of remote moorings, audible warnings are ineffective in view of the absence of people to be alerted thereby. In marinas and other crowded environments, on the other hand, the nuisance caused by faulty alarms 2 0 triggering, especially at night when adjacent boats may be occupied with sleeping occupants, is so great as to be discouraged, especially since the responsible people are very often too far away to be able to do anything about the faulty alarm.

An owner of a valuable yacht, whether in a marina or a remote mooring, therefore has

: the continual concern that this highly valuable item of property is continually at risk whilst the owner is absent.

The present invention seeks to provide a system by which these concerns can by 5 addressed, and which allows certain actions to be taken remotely. For example if an owner has been absent from his boat from some time, and in particular if limited time is available for enjoyment of it, it would be important to him to be able to check that all is well with the boat prior to arrival so that time is not wasted dealing with problems when the owner would prefer to be off sailing. Remote monitoring of 0 variable functions such as fuel level, bilge pump activity and even whether or not the refrigerator is switched on, can be made possible by means of this system.

According to one aspect of the present invention, therefore, a remote monitoring security system for mobile property (such as a boat, aeroplane, helicopter, caravan, 5 motor home or the like) comprises a plurality of sensors for detecting the status of respective functional elements of the property (which may be, but not exclusively, safety or security-sensitive elements) means for processing the signals generated by the sensors to determine the security status of the property, and remote signalling means for periodically transmitting to a receiving station at least one status report 2 0 based on the signals from the sensors.

The system ofthe present invention differs, therefore, from known security systems in that, rather than merelyproviding an alarm indication when a securityrisk is detected, it provides a continual update indicating that the security status of the property is still

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secure. This provides a regular and comforting report to the user.

The remote monitoring security system of the invention may also include means for interrogating the processing means to obtain ad-hoc information on the security status 5 of the monitored elements. Thus, should the absent owner feel cause for concern it is possible to transmit a command to the system to provide an instantaneous report on the status of all the monitored functional elements thereby allowing the owner to obtain immediate knowledge that the vessel is secure and that all is well, or to find out immediately if any anomalous condition is detected which might require attention.

In this context the receiving station may be a mobile (GSM) telephone carried by the user or a dedicated radio receiver provided for this purpose. The use of existing GSM technology is preferred since this is widely available and, moreover, includes the possibility of using a message storing service provided by the service provider, 5 enabling the user to receive messages even if they are transmitted at times when his mobile telephone is switched offer out of range of a convenient transmitter.

The sensors for detecting the status of the monitored functional elements may include sensors for detecting the status of security-critical functional elements and the status of 2 0 functional elements which are not critical for security reasons. Thus, as mentioned above, for example, the system may include a sensor for determining whether the galley refrigerator is switched on or off, the level of fuel in the tanks (so that the owner may be reminded to bring sufficient fuel with him when travelling to the vessel) the battery charge status and the like.

ceeÀettesete As mentioned above, the periodic transmission of data to a receiving station may be effected by transmission of signals via the GSM telephone network. It will be appreciated that such data is most conveniently transmitted via the text messaging 5 protocol of the network although, by using voice synthesizers, voice messages may also be transmitted to the owner and/or to a central server. If the latter, the systems may transmit to two numbers, one by voice mail and the second one by text messaging. 0 The system of the present invention may further include means for receiving command signals transmitted from a remote source (which may be the said receiving station) and means for acting on the command signals to put into effect a commanded operation. Thus, for example, a commanded operation may be to turn on the galley refrigerator in advance of the arrival of the owner, to switch on the bilge pumps if the 5 bilge level is of concern to the operator, to initiate the functioning of a battery charging system, which may be a solar powered system, a wind-powered generator, a motor-driven generator or even a connection to an external power supply such as the mains network (if the vessel is in a marina, for example). The command operation may, of course, be transmission of data from the or a selected group of the sensors.

2 0 The commanded operation may, alternatively, be energisation of a powered functional element, such as an acoustic alarm, an illuminable element, a motor or a pump. This is of particular significance in the event of the detection of an intruder or the detection of motion which may indicate that the vessel is being moved when the owner knows that it should be stationary in a marina or on a mooring. Sensors for detecting such

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movement may, for example, include rudder movement detectors, vibration detectors, inclinometers and strain gauges for detecting stresses on rigging or hull components.

The system ofthe invention may include means for triggering an alarm function in the 5 event of detection of at least one of a number of security-critical events by one or more of the sensors. The presence of an intruder may not, necessarily, imply malintent. For example, a passing mariner may board a vessel in order to rectify a perceived fault such as a loose sheet or mooring rope. Detection of an intruder cannot, therefore, automatically be taken to imply that the owner's interests are being detrimentally 10 affected, and the triggering of an alarm may not necessarily, therefore, automatically be indicated. The system of the present invention allows for this eventuality by providing a remote alert to the owner indicating the presence of an authorised personnel on the vessel, but also providing a status report on all the monitored functions. Such monitored functions will naturally include the security of the hatch 5 covers and other entrance points to the vessel, rudder movement, engine activation and the like. If, therefore, a user should detect the presence of a person on the vessel, but none of he status reports from the sensors indicate any other infringing activity, the owner may make an informed decision as to what action to take. Such action may comprise, for example, a telephone call to a harbour master or other of ficial capable of 2 0 visual observation of the vessel enabling feedback reports to support the information provided by the transmission of data signals from the sensors. In this way vessel security can be maintained without deterring helpful efforts of fellow mariners.

Should the vessel be stolen, however, this will be promptly indicated to the owner by

ce::e ce.: I' acee' À:e À. transmission of a status report triggered immediately upon the commencement of the first anomalous event. For this purpose, of course, the processor will be programmed with a range of "normal" values for each of the sensor signals so that it is capable of detecting whether the situation is normal or whether an anomalous event has taken 5 place. In the event of this latter an interrupt in the programme can provide for immediate transmission of a status report which, because it is transmitted at a time other than that for the periodic report, will immediately alert the owner to the possibility of a problem.

10 Even immediate indication of the occurrence or imminence of an attempt at theft may not be sufficient, especially in connection with mobile property capable of relatively rapid transit such as aircraft and helicopters, and also in the case of yachts where geographical location is not immediately determinable, the system may be provided with means for determining at least the approximate geographical location of the 15 mobile properly by reference to the transmission of data on the GSM network. As far as yachts are concerned, it may be sufficiently accurate for the information on geographical location to comprise no more than the identification of the nearest cell in the cellular telephone network since, for this, a reasonable estimation of the position of a vessel may be made. For other purposes it may be appropriate for one of the said 2 0 signal sensors to comprise a GPS (global positioning satellite) unit for determining more accurately the geographical position ofthe mobile property, and the text message transmitted to the receiving station may then including data identifying the geographical location of the GPS unit and therefore of the mobile property. In fact, the data forming the grid reference of the GPS unit may be transmitted as a text

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À message or as data directly into the central server.

Although automatic, unattended intruder alarms are discouraged on vessels, the system of the present invention makes it possible to provide means for initiating an 5 intruder-deterrent routine upon detection by the processor of a sensor signal indicating the presence of an intruder. Such a routine may comprise periodic or intermittent energisation of a lighting system (either navigation or cabin lights) and/or a noise-

generating component of the property, including, but not limited to, a horn or other acoustic indicator, an audio entertainment system, an intelligible sound generator 0 (voice synthesiser), a motor, a pump or other motor-driven functional element of the property. If an intruder is intending simply to remain on the vessel these anomalous activities will draw attention to the vessel and, therefore, make it less hospitable for the intruder to remain. If the intruder were intending to steal the vessel in its entirety this, again, could act to draw attention to the vessel and thereby deter such theft.

Although direct communication between the processor and a receiving unit in the position of the owner is envisaged, the present invention may further include an arrangement in which a central server, remote from the mobile property and from the receiving station, may be provided, such central server being operable to receive (or 20 also to receive) the said periodic data transmissions from a plurality of protected mobile properties whereby to monitor the values of the data therein and to issue alarm indications or take appropriate action in the event of the occurrence of anomalous values.

|:':e t'.:e For accessing the data there may further be provided means for loading this as transmitted by the or each remote signalling means, onto the internet to allow access thereto, especially when abroad, for example by accessing an appropriate website on the World Wide Web.

When installing a system of the invention it is important that the component parts be concealed and inaccessible so that they cannot readily be tampered with or corrupted.

This level of security can be further enhanced by the use of sensors which communicate with the processor by wireless signal transmission. In this case there are 0 no wires to be cut or followed to trace the component parts of the system. It does mean, however, that a number of difference electrical energy stores are required for the individual units. These may comprise respective batteries or collective batteries, and the system of the invention also includes power management arrangements operative to minimise power consumption in normal operation especially by shutting 5 down the system to operate in a standby mode when not actually acting to generate signal transmissions, and to pulse the sensor operation so that, again, minimum power consumption is achieved.

The system may operate in its standby mode for a defined proportion of the time of 20 operation, and may by energised to monitor sensor status and to transmit signals representative of the sensor signal status periodically, or upon reception of a command signal or an anomalous signal from a sensor. The power management system may include power management circuits having means for recharging the or each battery from one or more source. The source for recharging batteries may be an engine- driven

:: # À generator, a solar panel, a wind-powered generator or an external supply. If a solar generator or wind generator are used they may have associated sensors detecting Coronal functioning thereof so that, for example, if the wind generator should fail this fact is transmitted to the user in good time before the batteries charged thereby have 5 lost their charge entirely so that any attempt by an intruder to influence the operation of the system by cutting off its recharging source can be detected before this has any serious effect.

Since parts of the system of the invention, particularly a radio transmitter, receiver 10 transceiver or GSM telephone, may interfere with the navigation system of a vessel, and since the remote monitoring function is, naturally, not required when the vessel is moved by authorised personnel, and in motion, there are provided means for interlinking the system of the invention with the vessels own power systems so that the former is disconnected when the latter is turned on, for example via the main 15 battery isolator switch. It goes without saying that such an arrangement requires a reliable authorisation system to ensure that the main power to the vessel can only be switched on by properly authorised personnel.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described, by 2 0 way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a boat provided with a remote monitoring security system of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the security system fitted to the boat of Figure 1;

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Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative server monitoring arrangement; and Figure 4 is a block diagram of an internal power management system forming part of the security system of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1 thereof, a boat generally indicated 10 is shown in schematic outline, comprising a hull 11 with a mast 12 for sails and a rudder 13 controlled by a helm 14. An auxiliary engine 15 drives a propeller 16 via a propeller shaft 17 and is Quelled by liquid fuel from the tank 18.

lo The vessel 10 is shown moored to a buoy 19 bye mooring chain 20. The buoyitselfis shown connected to the sea bed by a line 21 connected to a massive block 22 such as a concrete block by which the buoy is retained in position. A hatch 23 gives access to an interior cabin generally indicated by the broken outline 24 beneath the floor 25 of which is located the engine 15 and fuel tank 18.

The various functions of the vessel are monitored by sensors comprising an intruder sensor 26 mounted on the hatch 23 to detect whether it is open or closed, a mooring security sensor 27 connected between the hull 11 and the mooring chain 20 to determine that this is maintained under its normal tension or tension range and is still 2 0 in place. In high winds when the vessel may be subject to extra forces, the tension in the mooring line 20 may increase sufficient to drag the block 22 along the sea bed.

This excess tension is detected by the sensor 27. Should the mooring line 20 snap, however, the tension in it will fall entirely and, again, this is detected by the sensor 27 which, in practice, may comprise more than one sensing element capable of detecting

1; if the mooring line tension line exceeds a predetermined maximum or falls below a predetermined minimum.

An engine operation sensor 28 detects whether the engine is operating or not, and a 5 navigation light sensor 29 detects whether or not the navigation lights 30 are on. A further light sensor 30 inside the cabin 24 may detect whether the cabin lights are energised. Movement of the rudder 13 is detected by a sensor 31 mounted, for example, on the 10 rudder pintles. This may, for example, be a strain gauge or other sensor capable of detecting whether the rudder is left in its straight ahead position, which would be adopted for mooring purposes, or whether it is being moved from side to side, indicating that the boat may have steerage and be under way.

15 A gas sensor 32 is located within the interior of the vessel to detect escape of gas (for example methane or propane which may be stored for cooking purposes) and a smoke or heat detector 33 is located in the cabin.

All of these sensors may be considered as security-critical sensors the signals from 20 which represent the security status ofthe vessel. Other, less critical sensors comprise a bilge level sensor 34 detecting the level of water in the bilges 35, a bilge pump operation sensor 36 for detecting operation of a bilge pump 37, a fuel level detector 38 for detecting the level of fuel in the tank 18 and a battery status sensor 39 for detecting the charge status of a battery 40 which is the main electrical supply on the vessel. A

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wind-powered generator 41 driven by a windmill 42 may be provided for recharging the battery 40, and a sensor 43 detecting operation of the generator 41 is also provided.

An air temperature sensor 44 is mounted on the mast for detecting instantaneous 5 temperature and other sensors within the vessel may include a sensor 45 for detecting operation of a galley refrigerator 46. This, however, is not intended to be an exhaustive list of potential sensors and other sensors for other purposes may be incorporated. 0 Figure 2 illustrates the general configuration of the system of the invention in which the security-critical sensors 26-33 are connected to a buffer unit 46 which takes account ofthe fact that some ofthe sensors 26- 33 are analogue and others digital, and which converts all the signals from the sensors into a common form for transmission to a microprocessor 47 for appropriate processing. Likewise, sensors 34-39 for the 15 nonsecurity-critical functions are also connected to the buffer 46 for onward transmission to the microprocessor 47. Although shown as connecting lines in Figure 2 it will be appreciated that where it is appropriate for sensors to be entirely independent of the central unit, for example where it is better to secure them or to conceal them these may transmit signals via wireless means for example radio 20 transmission or infrared transmission to the buffer unit 46 which, therefore, may be provided with suitable signal reception sensors which, however, would be well known to the man skilled in the art and require no further description here.

The microprocessor 47 is programmed with the necessary data to be able to determine

ce. ee: e.e.e en: À: the normal or safety range of values of the individual signals from the sensors 26-39.

It is powered by the battery 40 and transmits signals periodically, under the control of the programme, to a GSM modem 48 which transmits the data to the local cell of an international cellular telephone network. The microprocessor module 47 has an 5 interface unit 49, for example a keyboard and screen, by which input information concerning the sensors 26, 39 and the range of signals to be expected therefrom, together with the telephone number or number to be communicated via the modem 48.

The normal period for transmission of signals can also be set by the interface according to the user's requirements. Should the user wish to be updated daily or 0 more often he can set this time period into the processor via the interface 49 in response to which the unit will transmit at the end of each set period, via the modem 48, a set of values representing the signals from the individual sensors. If all these are within a normal range as set by the operator when preliminarily setting up the system, the signal transmitted to the modem 48 may simply be "OK" or "all's well" signal 15 rather than individual values representing the sensor signals.

If, when the normal time for transmission for data arrives, one of the non-critical sensors is providing a signal outside its normal range, the unit 47 will transmit to the modem 48 a signal representing this value to alert the user that action is likely to be 2 0 required in the near future. Correspondingly, if the security-critical sensors 26-33 provides a signal outside its programmed range the unit immediately transmits a signal to the modem 48 indicating that urgent attention is required and, again, providing a text representation of the value of the signal determined as being outside its normal range.

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The unit 47 is also programmed to act, via a port 55 in response to command signals received via the GSM modem 48 from the owner. This allows command signals to be transmitted to actuators 50, 51, for example for energising an alarm (not shown) for 5 turning on the navigation lights 27 or the interior cabin lights (or for turning these off if they are already on) and or effecting other functions.

In order to preserve the battery power the system does not operate full time, but rather remains in a standby mode and triggers operation of the sensors periodically so that 10 detection of critical conditions is made quickly, without excessively draining the battery. For example, depending on the nature of the sensors and the power requirements, these may be energised for one second every minute, or for one millisecond every second, with the processing unit 47 being powered to process the data stored therein on a time-sharing multiplex basis which avoids battery 15 consumption for the majority of the time.

Figure 3 illustrates the presence of a third party server 51 having a base modem 52 for receiving signals from the modem 48, and for transmitting signals to the owner's mobile telephone 53 via the text messaging service. The server 51 may also receive 2 0 signals from the owner's mobile telephone for onward transmission to the vessel or for internet connection as represented by the line 54.

Power management of the battery 40 is achieved by the arrangements shown in Figure 4 which includes a sensing block 55 receiving signals from the main power consumers

::: Ace: ::e e:e:::: and other functional elements relevant in the charging ofthe battery such as the engine sensor 28 the wind generator sensor 43 and a solar generator 56 and external connection 57. The sensing unit feeds an integral charging control unit 58 which controls an internal standby battery 59 brought into play by the discharge sensing 5 switch 60 if the yacht battery40 falls below a certain charge as indicated by the sensor 39. The switch 60 also triggers a number of alarms, depending on the system status, to provide indication that the yacht's main battery has fallen below a minimum charge level, or that the auxiliary battery is below a minimum charge level.

0 Again, alarm indications can be generated if the battery is below a minimum charge level which might compromise the security of the system.

The unit of the invention may be provided with means for receiving and implementing software upgrades sent from the central server. This may be of particular value if 15 there is anyrisk that the system may have been corrupted and its securityofoperation compromised. This function may also be used to deal with a change of ownership, where a new owner may wish to change security pass codes from codes from those known to the previous owner and his crew. Where the programme normally shuts down the system to preserve battery life it may receive a "stay awake" signal from the 2 0 central server while the new software is being downloaded.

En order to accommodate possible difficulties with failure of the system when an authorised user is on board there may be provided a high security disabling protocol or system. This is preferably not merely the provision of a master key since the wiring

ce:e:e ^e..e e. e.:e for this would be itself at risk of corruption. This high level security may involve disabling the GSM transmissions or directing them to a "bin" connection so that apparent alarm warning can be safely ignored.

5 The system of the present invention must also comply with the low voltage directive which requires that a product should not pose a threat to health or life by way of electric charageable voltages. In the case ofthe system ofthe present invention this is designed solely for lowvoltage applications, where the maximum voltage present will be from the battery charging circuit associated with the engine generator. Typically,l o such charges operate in the region of 14 volts and use equipment which is similar to that encountered in automobile technology. Likewise, suitable certified isolation interfaces may be provided in order to allow direct connection to external sources of electric power, such as mains electricity, which may be brought to a vessel by line in port or marina environment. This may, for example, involve isolation relays meeting 15 relevant national standards for insulation and isolation.

As far as eleckomagnetic compatibility is concerned, the radiation generated by the system of the present invention will not in most cases exceed the defined limits of the appropriate, and relevant regulations so that interference with other products and 2 0 equipment will not occur. Also required that such systems be tolerant to certain levels of incoming radiation and should be capable of continuing to perform adequately within these constraints.

Claims

# CLAIMS

l. A remote monitoring security system for mobile property (such as a boat, 5 aeroplane, helicopter, caravan, motor car, lorry etc.) comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting the status of respective functional elements (preferably safety or security-sensitive elements), means for processing the signals generated by the sensor to determine the security status of the property and remote signalling means for periodically transmitting to a receiving station at least one status report based 10 on the signals from the sensors.

2. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim l, in which

there are further provided means for interrogating the processing means to obtain ad hoc information on the status of the monitored elements.

3. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim l or Claim 2, in which the sensors for detecting the status of the monitored elements include sensors for detecting the status of security-critical functional elements and functional elements which are not critical for security.

4. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the periodic transmission of data for a receiving station is effected by transmission of signals via the GSM telephone network.

.e e: t. be. -: . À t À À À 5. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim 4, in which the periodic transmission of data to a receiving station is effected via the text messaging protocol of the GSM network.

5 6. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, further including means for receiving command signals transmitted from a remote source (which may be the said receiving station) and means for acting on the command signals to put into effect a command operation.

10 7. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim 6, in which the command operation is transmission of data from the sensors.

8. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim 6, in which the command operation is energisation of a powered functional element, such as an 15 acoustic alarm, an illuminable element, a motor car or a pump (or any other thing). 9. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which there are provided means for triggering an alarm function in the event of 2 0 detection of at least one of a number of security-critical events by one or more of the sensors.

lO. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim 9, in which there are provided means for determining at least the approximate geographical

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location of the mobile property by reference to the transmission of data on the GSM network.

11. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claims, 5 in which one of the said sensors comprises GPS unit for determining the geographical position of the mobile property, and the text message transmitted to the receiving station includes data identifying the geographical location of the said GPS unit and therefore of the mobile property.

0 12. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which there are provided means for initiating an intruderdeterrent routine upon detection by the processor of a sensor signal indicating the presence of an intruder, the said routing comprising periodic or intermittent energisation of a lighting system and/or a noisegenerating component of the property, including, 5 but not limited to, another acoustic indicator, a horn, an audio entertainment system, an intelligible sound generation (noise synthesiser) a motor, pump or other motor-driven functional element of the property.

13. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, 2 0 further including a central sensor remote from the said mobile property and/or the said receiving station, operable to receive the said periodic data transmissions from a plurality of protected mobile properties, to monitor the values of the data therein and to issue alarm indication in the event of the occurrence of anomalous values.

e.e ce:.e he Be: À e: s: c:e:::.: 14. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, further including means for loading the periodic data transmitted by the or each remote signalling means into the Internet to allow access thereto.

15. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the periodic data transmission is made by synthesised voice message signalling. 10 16. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sensors communicate with the processor by wireless signal transmission. 17. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, 5 in which the power for the sensors and/or the processor and/or the signal transmitter is a battery, and the system includes power management arrangements operative to minimise power consumption in a standby mode of the system.

18. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim 17, in which 2 0 the system operates in its standby mode for a deemed proportion of the time and is energised to monitor sensor status and to transmit signals representative of the sensor signal status periodically or upon reception of a command signal.

19. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any of Claims 17 or

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e.en À e À. À. 18, in which the power management circuits include means for recharging the battery or batteries from one or more source.

20. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim 19, in which the 5 power management circuit includes means for recharging the battery or batteries from an engine-driven generator, a solar panel a windpowered generator, or an external supply.

21. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in any preceding claim, 0 in which there are provided means for interconnecting the operation ofthe system with a vehicle or vessel power system such that one is turned on when the other is turned off and vice versa.

22. A remote monitoring security system as claimed in Claim 21, in which 5 there are further provided security means for ensuring authorised operation of the vehicle or vessel power system.

23. A remote monitoring security system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.