GB2447049A

GB2447049A - Signal strength proximity alarm for movable objects with multiple monitored areas

Info

Publication number: GB2447049A
Application number: GB0620552A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Rutter; Neil Rutter; Simon Edward Jarrard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-17
Filing date: 2006-10-17
Publication date: 2008-09-03
Also published as: GB0620552D0

Abstract

An active alarm system that has two or more units; an alarm will be activated when the primary unit detects that the distance between the primary unit and all key units has increased beyond a set distance. Once remotely armed from the master key unit, the alarm communicates a limited range coded data signal between the primary unit and key(s), the alarm will sound when the communication signal between the units has been lost or weakened below a set limit. The primary unit protects the portable item and the master key stays with the authorised carrier. Subsequent key units without the arm disarm feature may be added to the system to aid freedom of movement.

Description

Movable object alarm.

This invention relates to an active alarm for movable objects.

Movable objects such as laptops and briefcases are frequently lost or stolen because the keeper of these objects forgets about them or they are removed from the keeper's presence without their knowledge.

Present deterrents such as marker pens only mark objects with owner's details and will not alert the keeper of a movable object that the object has been moved or they have left it.

A tremor switch will activate an alarm if the object it is attached to is moved but it will not alert the keeper of the object if they leave it behind. Keepers of movable objects alarmed in this way have to disarm the unit each time they wish to move it and then re-arm it when it is put down. Small movement such as a jolt in a car or train can activate the alarm making some alarms unstable.

To overcome these problems this invention will enable a protected object to be transported or left in a monitored area knowing the object can be released from view with the comfort that the alarm system is continually monitoring its presence and will activate immediately if an attempt is made to steal it or to leave it in an unmonitored area. An armed protected item can not be stolen, left or lost accidentally without the alarm being triggered.

Our invention is made up of two or more units that detect the presence of each other by mean of transmitting and reading coded signals. If the distance between the units increases beyond a set limit causing the detection of a transmitted coded signal to be lost or weakened below a set limit the alarm will activate. All units can transmit or receive a coded signal, or a combination of these.

Brief operation 1. The arm feature is remotely operated from a button control on the master key unit This sends a coded data signal to the primary unit which latches the unit activation circuit into the armed position. The disarm feature is remotely operated from a button control on the master key unit. This sends a coded data signal to the primary unit which latches the unit activation circuit into the disarmed position.

2. The monitoring circuit continually monitors the presence of a separate variable coded data signal between the primary unit, master key and subsequent key units.

Description

3. Mann activation is achieved once the pnmaiy unit has been armed and the variable coded data signal between the primary unit and key units has been impaired sufficiently. The alarm will deactivate on restoration of the coded data signal.

The type of alarm can be audio or visual, or a combination of these. If detection is resumed the alarm will deactivate.

The movable object alarm system is powered by an internal power source such as a batteiy, power cell, solar panel, or an external power source, or a combination of these.

Our active alarm units are portable; they have one or more small chip transmitter and reader units that transmit and read variable coded signals and are attached to the movable object in a method that prevents easy removal, a second unit called the master key is carried by an authorised keeper of the movable object. The alarm will be triggered if the communication between the units is lost The alarm can be armed and disarmed by a coded remote signal from a master key.

To enable a keeper of a movable object to move freely when required, i.e. in an ofce environment or to leave a protected item in for example: the luggage space of a vehicle, subsequent key units without the arm disarm feature may be added to the system. These subsequent keys can be fixed or hidden within range of the object, if the object is then moved beyond the set distance the alarm will activate.

Once the primary unit has been armed the moveable object can be moved and carried without alarm activation providing the protected item is within range of a coded key. This eliminates the need to remember to continually arm and disarm the unit, for example if the primary unit receives a coded signal from one or more of the key units this will prevent an alarm being triggered.

Examples of movable objects are; Laptop computers; Briefcases; Mobile phones; Luggage; Pieces of art; Jewelleiy; Children; Pets; This list is not comprehensive or complete, any movable object can be alarmed.

Claims

Claims 1. An active alarm that has small chip transmitter and reader

units on a movable object that will trigger an alarm if it is moved away from a second unit carried by an authorised keeper and or subsequent units transmitting a coded signal sufficiently to cause the signal to be lost or weakened below a set limit.
2. An active alarm system that warns the keeper of a movable object that it has moved beyond a set distance away from the keeper.
3. An active alarm system that warns the keeper of a movable object that they have moved beyond a set distance away from the movable object.
4. An alarm system that warns the guardian of a child or pet that the distance between them has grown above a set limit.
5. An active alarm system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, that is powered by an internal power source such as a batteiy, power cell, solar panel, or an external power source, or a combination of these.
6. An active alarm system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, that has subsequent key units without the arm disarm feature that can be added to the system.
7. Subsequent key units that can transmit and or receive a coded signal will trigger an alarm if a coded transmission at the primary unit is lost or weakened below a set limit.
8. An active alarm system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, if the primary unit receives a coded signal from one or more of the key units this will prevent an alarm being triggered.
9. An active alarm system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, can be turned on or off remotely.