NZ572082A - Identification system using a dye or odorous liquid to mark burglars, thieves, or intruders - Google Patents

Abstract

An identification system (10) is disclosed. The system (10) is intended for the purpose of identifying persons who committed or attempted to commit a crime at the location of its installation. A fluid is sprayed on to the person which then identifies them by its colour or odour for example. The system (10) includes a reservoir (13) that contains a supply of identification fluid connected to a means for maintaining the fluid under pressure (14) and at least one nozzle (12) connected to the reservoir via a control valve (14). A control means (16), such as a switch, connected to the control valve initiates the release of a spray of fluid through the nozzle (12). A pressure sensor (15) connected between the reservoir and the nozzle can activate an indicator (18) if the pressure in the reservoir (13) falls below a predetermined value.

Description

> 572082 *10058182015* New Zealand Patent Appn No. 572082 Filed: 16th October 2008 Patents Form No. 5 Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM I, Glenn Mervyn Mawer of 28 Bidwell Place, Hillmorton, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand, a New Zealand citizen, hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 (to be followed by 1 a) 572082 TITLE: Identification System Technical Field The present invention relates to an identification system for security purposes. Disclosure of Invention An object of the present invention is to provide an identification system which can be used to give a positive identification of criminals with minimal risk to the person using the system. The system of the present invention has been designed especially for at risk locations such as shops, service stations and taxis, and will therefore be described with particular reference to this application. However, the system of the present invention could also be used in a variety of other applications.

The present invention provides an identification system which includes: a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of identification fluid; means for maintaining the fluid under pressure; at least one nozzle connected to the reservoir via a control valve; - control means connected to the control valve such that operation of said control means releases a spray of fluid through said at least one nozzle, a pressure sensor connected between said reservoir and said nozzle and adapted to activate an indicator if the pressure measured by said pressure sensor falls below a predetermined value.

Preferably, said reservoir and said means for maintaining the fluid under pressure are both provided by a pressurised canister containing said fluid and a pressurising gas.

The fluid may be a liquid dye. Alternatively, the fluid may be a fluid possessing an odour which cannot be sensed by the human nose, but which can be sensed by dogs, so that police dogs can identify the person who has been sprayed. Another possibility would be to combine a fluid dye with a substance having such an odour.

Brief Description of the Drawing 1a 572082 By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows diagrammatically the layout of the system of the invention.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Referring to the drawing, an identification system 10 is shown mounted in the ceiling, wall or doorframe 11 of an at risk location e.g. above the passenger seat of a taxi or above or near the exit door from a shop or a service station.

The system is shown as supplying only a single spray nozzle 12, but it will be appreciated that the system may include two or more spray nozzles 12 if necessary.

The system 10 includes a replaceable plug in canister 13 which is supplied pre-filled 15 with a mixture of liquid dye and a propellant gas such as compressed air or compressed carbon dioxide. Preferably, the dye is a visible dye, selected from any of a range of known non-toxic dyes, and is capable of dying both skin and clothes and persisting for at least several hours, preferably several days, even if washed repeatedly.

The gas/dye mixture exiting the canister passes through a pressure sensor 15, then through a solenoid valve 14, and then to the nozzle 12. The gas/dye mixture is released from the canister whenever the solenoid valve 14 is operated by the activation switch 16, which in general would be at a location remote from the canister 25 13 and is electrically connected to the solenoid 14 by an electrical connection 17.

The purpose of the pressure sensor 15 is to indicate to the user of the system whether there is sufficient pressure in the system for it to operate effectively:- if the pressure in the canister 13 drops below a preset level, the sensor 15 is triggered to operate an 30 indicator 18 (e.g. an audible alarm and/or a light) which is connected to the sensor 15 by an electrical connection 19. In the event that the indicator 18 shows that the pressure in the canister 13 has dropped below an effective pressure, the canister 13 is disconnected from the system and replaced with a fresh canister.

The system may be mains powered or may be powered from a separate battery, or mains powered with a backup battery. 2 572082 A possible variation of the above described system is to replace the canister 13 with a separate liquid reservoir for the identification fluid, the reservoir being pressurised, directly or indirectly, by a separate pressurised gas supply. However, this option is not 5 preferred because it is less compact than the above described system.

Typically, the system would be used where there had been a robbery or a threatened robbery:- the person operating the system simply presses the activation switch 16 to release a single burst of sprayed dye through the nozzle 12, to mark a perpetrator 10 escaping through the door. The present of the dye assists in the identification of the perpetrator, without harming the perpetrator in any way. The fact that the system releases only a single targeted burst of spray for each activation greatly reduces the risk that bystanders will be sprayed.

Alternatively, the system can form part of an integrated control and surveillance system which includes surveillance cameras mounted in the relevant area. The system is activated by a person in that area operating a panic button, in the event that the person considers that the situation is threatening. This system can be controlled on-site, but preferably is remotely monitored and controlled:- once the panic button 20 has been operated, the surveillance cameras are activated automatically and all further control and monitoring of the area is conducted from a remote communication centre. Preferably, the communication centre is directly linked with the Police so that the staff manning the communication centre can immediately alert the Police to the situation.

Once the panic button has been pressed, the people manning the communication centre monitor the situation in the area under surveillance using the cameras, the footage of which is automatically recorded. The communication centre staff operate activation switch 16 remotely to spray an offender as he leaves the area under 30 surveillance, and then pass on all necessary information (including a description of the offender and the fact that he has been sprayed with dye and/or a fluid having an odour which can be sensed by dogs) to the Police.

The system is compact and can be operated from battery power alone if necessary; 35 only electrical connections are required. The system is sufficiently compact to be fitted unobtrusively in any of a range of locations. 3 572082

Claims (6)

1. An identification system which includes: a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of identification fluid; means for maintaining the fluid under pressure; at least one nozzle connected to the reservoir via a control valve; control means connected to the control valve such that operation of said control means releases a spray of fluid through said at least one nozzle, a pressure sensor connected between said reservoir and said nozzle and adapted to activate an indicator if the pressure measured by said pressure sensor falls below a predetermined value.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reservoir and said means for maintaining the fluid under pressure are both provided by a pressurised canister containing said fluid and a pressurising gas.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the identification fluid is selected from the group consisting of: liquid non-toxic dye; a fluid having an odour which can be sensed only by dogs; a mixture of a liquid non-toxic dye and a fluid having an odour which can be sensed only by dogs.

4. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with an integrated control and surveillance system which incorporates remotely controlled cameras, and a remote control for the control means connected to the control valve.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the integrated control and surveillance system also incorporates a panic button which activates the system when the button is operated.

6. An identification system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.