IE20030159A1 - Surveillance device for doors and like closures - Google Patents

Abstract

A surveillance device (1) for a door or the like closure for an opening comprises a housing (2) adapted tobe concealed in the door or its associated frame. The housing contains a proximity switch (4) connected to a microcontroller (6). The microcontroller comprises a clock(12), a microprocessor (14),a pre-programmed memory (16) and a data storage memory (18). The prximity switch detects the status of the door, the micropocessormonitors the state of the switch, detects changes in switch status and records such events in the data storage memory with the corresponding date and time of the event so that the surveillance device records the date and time the door is opened and/or closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a surveillance device for a door or the like closure for an opening in a building and, in particular, to a monitor for use in or on such a door or its associated doorframe.

Many property owners or managers let or lease their property, such as business properties, holiday homes or second homes, to companies or individuals or otherwise give access to particular people, for example under a maintenance contract. Such tenants or contractors are provided with keys to enable them to access the premises .

However, during their absence, such owners or managers have no facility for checking or determining the extent to which their assets are being used or whether they are getting value for their maintenance contracts.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the disadvantages associated with the provision of keys to the premises to tenants and the like and in order to provide a surveillance device or monitor for a door or the like closure for a building which allows the property owner or manager to monitor the use of such door during their absence.

According to the invention there is provided a surveillance device for a door or the like closure for an opening comprising a housing adapted to be concealed in the door or its associated frame, the housing containing a proximity switch connected to a microcontroller, the microcontroller comprising a .9 IE 0 3 0 1 5 9 clock, a microprocessor, a pre-programmed memory and a data storage memory, wherein the proximity switch detects the status of the door, the microprocessor monitors the state of the switch, detects changes in switch status and records such events in the data storage memory with the corresponding date and time of the event so that the surveillance device records the date and time the door is opened and/or closed.

The proximity switch may comprise a capacitive proximity switch, an inductive proximity switch or a magnetically operated proximity switch, such as a reed switch or a solid state Hall effect switch. Preferably, the proximity switch is adapted to be concealed in the door or its associated frame.

The proximity switch sensor may respond directly to the proximity of the opposing frame or door depending on its material composition. Alternatively, a suitable strip of material such as metal, a magnet or a retroreflector may be incorporated in the opposing frame or door.

Preferably, the pre-programmed memory is programmed to allow the microprocessor to respond to commands from an interrogating unit to operate a download procedure.

Preferably, the housing contains a radio communication device comprising a transmitter/receiver unit, which allows the recorded data to be downloaded to an interrogating unit, such as a computer.

Preferably, the surveillance device requires a passcode from the interrogating unit before data is downloaded IE 0 3 0 1 thereto. Preferably, each surveillance device has a unique identification number, which is downloaded with the data. Preferably, the housing contains a power supply, such as a battery.

The invention further provides a door or doorframe having a surveillance device of the invention concealed or incorporated therein.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic view of the elements of a surveillance device of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a surveillance device 1 of the invention comprises a housing 2 adapted to be concealed in a door or doorframe. The housing contains a proximity switch 4 connected to a microcontroller 6, a radio communication device 8 and a power supply 10, such as a battery. The microcontroller comprises an integral clock 12, a microprocessor 14, a preprogrammed memory 16 and a data storage memory 18.

The proximity switch 4 may be any suitable type. A capacitive proximity switch may be used to detect the presence of metals or non-conducting materials, such as wood, PVC or the like. An inductive proximity switch may be used to detect the presence of metals. Alternatively, a magnetically operated proximity switch may be used, such as a reed switch or a solid state Hall effect switch.

Typically, the switch is chosen for its ability to be effectively concealed so that it works through the IE 0 3 0 1 5 9 concealing door or doorframe section. A mechanical switch, such as a push button type switch, or an optical photoswitch is likely to be less effective for this purpose.

The proximity switch sensor is located in the housing, which may be installed in the door or the doorframe. The sensor may respond directly to the proximity of the corresponding frame or door depending on its material composition. Alternatively, a suitable strip of material such as metal, a magnet or a retroreflector may be incorporated in the opposing frame or door.

The proximity switch detects the status of the door, that is, whether the door is open or closed. For example, the switch may be open or off when the door is open and the switch may be closed or on when the door is closed or vice-versa.

The microprocessor 14 repetitively monitors the state of the switch, say every 100ms, detects changes in switch status and records the event, whether rising edge or falling edge, in the data storage memory with the corresponding date and time of the event.

The pre-programmed memory allows the microprocessor to be programmed to record the state of the switch, detect edges and record to the data storage memory. In addition, the pre-programmed memory allows the microprocessor to be programmed to respond to commands from an interrogating unit to operate the download procedure.

IE 03 0 1 59 The radio communication device 8 comprises a transmitter/receiver unit, which allows the data to be downloaded to an interrogating unit, such as a computer, for example a notebook, or to a dedicated downloading device for subsequent transfer to a computer.

Typically, an exchange of passcodes takes place between the surveillance device and the interrogating unit before data is downloaded to ensure data security and to prevent the data being downloaded by an unauthorised user. Such communications may be achieved by any of the standard protocols.

The data stored may also be encrypted by the surveillance device prior to downloading so that an unauthorised user cannot access the downloaded information.

Typically, each surveillance device has a unique identification number, which is downloaded with the data, so that data corresponding to each door in a building can be uniquely identified.

Thus, the surveillance device of the invention provides a self-powered unit, which can be conveniently inserted or incorporated into a door or its associated frame. The device records the date and time the door is opened and/or closed.

The information gathered can be downloaded via a standard computer and printed out to show the use or passage through the door. The device is not selfevident, being concealed and known only to the IE Ο 3 Ο 1 5 9 installer or owner. The device is tamper proof since the information can only be retrieved by the owner or authorised user.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment, which is described by way of example only. For example, it will be appreciated that the invention may be used or adapted for use in or on a window or other closure for an opening or its associated frame if desired.

Claims (11)

Claims

1. A surveillance device for a door or the like closure for an opening comprising a housing adapted to be concealed in the door or its associated frame, the housing containing a proximity switch connected to a microcontroller, the microcontroller comprising a clock, a microprocessor, a pre-programmed memory and a data storage memory, wherein the proximity switch detects the status of the door, the microprocessor monitors the state of the switch, detects changes in switch status and records such events in the data storage memory with the corresponding date and time of the event so that the surveillance device records the date and time the door is opened and/or closed.

2. A surveillance device according to claim 1 wherein the proximity switch comprises a capacitive proximity switch, an inductive proximity switch or a magnetically operated proximity switch, such as a reed switch or a solid state Hall effect switch.

3. A surveillance device according to any preceding claim wherein the proximity switch is adapted to be concealed in the door or its associated frame. IE 0 3 0 1 5 9

4. A surveillance device according to any preceding claim wherein the proximity switch sensor responds directly to the proximity of the opposing frame or door depending on its material composition or responds to a strip of material, such as metal, a magnet or a retroreflector, incorporated in the opposing frame or door.

5. A surveillance device according to any preceding claim wherein the pre-programmed memory is programmed to allow the microprocessor to respond to commands from an interrogating unit to operate a download procedure.

6. A surveillance device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing contains a radio communication device comprising a transmitter/receiver unit which allows the recorded data to be downloaded to an interrogating unit, such as a computer.

7. A surveillance device according to any preceding claim wherein the surveillance device requires a passcode from an interrogating unit before data is downloaded thereto.

8. A surveillance device according to any preceding claim wherein the surveillance device has a unique identification number adapted to be downloaded with the data.

9. A surveillance device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing contains a power supply, such as a battery. •Ε Ο 3 ο ί 5 9

10. A surveillance device for a door or the like closure for an opening substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as 5 illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

11. A door or a doorframe comprising a surveillance device according to any preceding claim concealed or incorporated therein.