WO1998055346A1

WO1998055346A1 - Alarm apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1998055346A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/001618
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Nevil Heaton Johnson; Christopher George Rice; Steven Hughes
Original assignee: Durand Limited
Priority date: 1997-06-03
Filing date: 1998-06-03
Publication date: 1998-12-10
Also published as: AU7779698A

Abstract

Various electrical alarm systems are disclosed, incorporating any one or more of several novel features. Such features include a stand-by facility incorporating a chargeable battery normally kept charged by a power supply to which the alarm system is normally connected, a vehicle or the like alarm system, the activation and de-activation of which is controlled by a proximity detector detecting a predetermined signal-emitting device carried out the user's person and a personal attack alarm and a smoke alarm incorporated in an electronic wrist-watch.

Description

ALARM APPARATUS

THIS INVENTION relates to an alarm, security, vehicle-immobilising or the like apparatus.

International Patent Application PCT/GB96/02484 (published as W097/13656), which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses various forms of alarm system, for safeguarding vehicles and other valuable items, such as computers.

It is a disadvantage of alarm systems powered by electrical batteries that if the batteries lose their charge, however slowly, over an extended period, the alarm system may be ineffective in a situation to which it ought to respond, or may produce its alarm signal only weakly or for only a limited period of time.

It is an object of the invention in one of its aspects to remove or minimise this disadvantage.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a utility item incorporating, or adapted to be connected to, an electrical power source in order to carry out its normal function, the item incorporating an electrically operable alaπn or security system for providing an alarm signal or alarm signals and/or implementing other predetermined security action in predetermined circumstances, wherein said alarm or security system is powered by a rechargeable battery which is distinct from said power source but wherein the item incorporates circuitry whereby, in normal use of the item, said battery is charged by, or has its charge maintained by, electrical current derived from said power source but whereby the alaim or security system cannot be de-activated by disconnecting the item from such power source. The item protected by the alarm or security system may be, for example, a conventional photographic camera with electrical features, such as electric motor drive or focusing, electric flash or the like conventionally powered by a main battery or batteries, for example, rechargeable or non-rechargeable, dry cell batteries, or may be, for example, a video camera or camcorder similarly powered, or a mobile or portable telephone, or the like. The alarm system may be powered by a small rechaigeable subsidiaiy battery, e.g. of button type, stored in a concealed compartment in the item so as not to be evident to a person handling or viewing the item or removing or changing the main batteries, but connected via appropriate concealed circuitry in the item with the main battery so that the charge in the subsidiaiy battery is normally maintained by the main battery. Such circuitry will preferably include rectifying means, such as solid-state diodes, preventing the discharge of the subsidiaiy battery in the event that the main battery is removed or short-circuited, for example by a thief attempting to disable or silence the alarm.

The protected item may, of course, be of other kinds. For example, the protected item may be a motor vehicle, such as a motor car, lorry, or motorcycle. Since motor vehicle electrical generators and batteries are generally of very considerable capacity and such vehicles additionally provide a good many places where relatively large items may be concealed, the subsidiaiy battery may, in these embodiments, likewise be of substantial size and capacity and capable of powering, for an extended period, alarm systems which use significant power once triggered, for example in producing audible alarms of high acoustic volume, and in producing, for example, radio alarm signals allowing the alarm to be detected from substantial distances, tracked, and so on.

It is a disadvantage of most alarm and the like security systems that they require to be set or armed by a deliberate action or series of actions, however minimal, by the owner or legitimate user, with the result that, due to human error, the premises, vehicle or other item intended to be protected may be left unattended and without the alarm system being activated or armed, so that the alarm or other security system is rendered useless through human oversight.

It is an object of the invention in one aspect to provide an improved alarm, security, vehicle-immobihsing or the like apparatus by which the above disadvantage may be avoided.

According to this aspect of the invention, there is provided an alarm or security system, including a device adapted to be carried about the person of the legitimate user and alarm or security apparatus mounted, or adapted to be mounted, in or on the aiticle to be protected by the system, said apparatus being arranged, in operation, to detect the proximity of said device and arranged to maintain itself in an inactive condition as long as the proximity of said device is detected, but to revert to an armed or activated condition when such device is no longer detected.

In a valiant of this aspect of the invention, the part of the system adapted to be carried about the person of the legitimate user of an item protected by the system is capable of emitting an alarm signal and is arranged to detect the proximity of a device mounted or adapted to be mounted in or on the article to be protected, and to emit such alarm signal when it no longer detects the proximity of that device.

Various embodiments of the invention, in this aspect, are described below.

In some embodiments of the invention, the device of which said apparatus detects the proximity is a so-called passive transponder. This may simply take the form of an LC tuned circuiζ arranged as a flat pack or "card" to be carried in the user's pocket. The part of the alarm system or the like carried by the protected article, in such embodiments includes means for emitting signals at the resonant frequency of the timed circuit and receiver means for detecting the resultant "ringing" of the tuned circuit. However, it is preferred to utilise devices, (herein also referred to for convenience as transponders), capable of far greater selectivity than such simple LC circuits, particularly in alarm or security systems for expensive items such as motor vehicles. For such applications, the passive transponder may comprise a short-range radio receiver and transmitter and the part of the alarm system on the protected item may likewise comprise a short-range radio receiver and transmitter arranged to transmit a digitally coded signal at intervals of, say 20 seconds, the transponder being arranged to receive such signals (herein referred to for convenience as "calling signals") and, upon such receipt, to transmit a corresponding coded signal (herein referred to for convenience as an "answering signal") to be received by the alarm or security apparatus carried by the protected item, the latter apparatus being arranged, provided such answering signal is received for eveiy signal transmitted, simply to remain in its standby state. However, if no answering signal is received, (or possibly only if no more than a predetermined number of calling signals is transmitted without an appropriate answering signal being received) the part of the alarm system carried by the protected item changes to an alternative mode, which may, as discussed in more detail below, be an aimed or set mode, or may be a triggered mode in which an alarm signal is triggered, hi either case, the system preferably continues to transmit "call signals" at intervals and is arranged, if an appropriate answering signal is received again (or preferably, to minimise the risk of false responses, a predetermined number of answering signals in response to a series of a corresponding number of "call" signals is received again), to change again from its "armed" or "set" condition to its "standby" state. Thus, for example, where the system is applied to a motor vehicle, when the driver carrying the transponder returns to the vehicle after having left the vehicle for a period, the alarm or security apparatus (e.g. an immobilising system) is automatically de-activated upon sensing the proximity of the transponder, without any conscious or deliberate action required by the driver.

The system described may be adapted to provide an audible or other reminder to the legitimate user that he is about to leave the protected article behind. For example an alarm system of the kind described above may be incorporated in, for example, a video camera or camcorder, or a conventional film camera and may be arranged, when the circuitry incorporated in the camera fails to receive an answering signal in response to a calling signal, to emit an audible alarm to alert the legitimate user, presumed to be still in the vicinity, to the fact that he has left the protected item behind. Preferably, in this embodiment, the apparatus is so arranged that this "panic" signal is emitted only for a few minutes, after which the alarm system reverts to a "set" or "armed" condition in which it will remain silent if undisturbed, but will emit, anew, an alarm signal if the protected item, e.g. camera, is subsequently disturbed without the presence of the passive transponder having been detected.

The alarm system may be arranged, as in some of the systems disclosed in WO97/13656, to emit radio signals when the alarm is triggered, for example, by disturbing the protected item, to allow the movements of the item to be tracked remotely.

The transponder may conveniently be incorporated in a personal accessory which the user is likely to carry about his person as a matter of course, such as a wrist watch, pocket watch, pair of spectacles, brooch, pendant or the like. The part of the system adapted to be carried about the person of the user is preferably powered by re-chargeable batteries. Preferably provision is made for recharging these batteries conveniently. In the preferred embodiment, the transponder is incorporated in an electronic wrist-watch, which may be of a type which also emits an audible alarm sound at a pre-set time or times. The circuitry in the wrist-watch may, in this case, additionally, or alternatively, cause the wrist- watch to emit an alarm signal in the event that a "call" signal from the protected item is no longer detected, so that the wearer of the watch is advised that he has distanced himself from the protected object, i.e. that he has, for example, left the item behind. The alarm system, in this case, alerts the wearer of the watch so that he can return to the location where he left the protected item, and retrieve it.

In the case where this part of the system is incorporated in an electronic watch, the latter is preferably adapted to cooperate with a charging device, for example mains powered, and wliich may form a holder adapted to receive and support the watch in such a way that it can serve as a bed-side clock, or, where the watch can emit alarm signals at predetermined times can serve as a bed-side alarm clock.

In a further variant, the protected item may not be an inanimate object but may be, for example, a child or a pet carrying a belt or collar incorporating the alarm system, hi this case, the part of the system carried by the pet or child may be arranged not to emit an audible alarm, but may be arranged to emit a radio signal allowing the pet or child to be Hacked to assist in finding the pet or child. Such tracking may be effected via the cellular telephone network, the radio signals emitted being in this case compatible with such network, and/or may be effected via the navigational satellite system, or by any other appropriate positional tracking system.

In a further variant the part of the system which is adapted to be carried about the user's person e.g. as an electronic watch or as some other personal accessory, may be adapted to monitor a plurality of discrete items and may be "programmable" to add new items to those monitored or to cease monitoring other items. In this variant, the watch or other accessoiy may be arranged to detect signals specific to the individual monitored items and, upon detecting the absence of a particular such signal, to display the name or other information identifying the "missing" item, as well as emitting an audible alarm signal, etc. to allow the user to determine just what has gone missing.

In a further variant of the invention, an electronic watch may incorporate, in addition to, or in place of, the monitoring and alarm facilities described above, an alarm device which can be triggered deliberately by the wearer, for example, in the event of the wearer being subjected to or threatened with a personal physical attack or when the wearer is otherwise in physical danger. Preferably, in this case, die alarm signal produced by the alarm device is an acoustic signal of a volume substantially greater than that generated to alert the user to the fact that he has lost or strayed from some monitored item of property, for example. Where the watch also serves as a device monitoring items of property, in accordance with the previously noted aspects of the invention, the device may thus be arranged to emit audible alarm signals at a relatively low level to notify the wearer that a possession is now out of range of the device and at a substantially higher volume when triggered in the event of a personal attack or threatened attack, since an audible alarm of high acoustic volume is likely to be far more effective in deterring an attacker than an alarm signal of lower acoustic volume. Naturally, the higher volume alarm mode, because it involves a higher rate of emission of sonic energy, will require more electrical energy to sustain and will thus deplete the battery powering the alarm more rapidly than the lower volume mode, but this is of little consequence since if an audible alarm is likely to deter an attacker it is likely to do so in the early stages of an attack or threatened attack.

An alternative or additional facility which may be incorporated in the electronic watch described or, indeed, may be embodied in an independent, dedicated apparatus or incorporated in any other device adapted to deter would-be assailants is a facility for squirting or spraying a liquid having a strong, distinctive and enduring odour onto the assailant, not only with a view to persuading the assailant to abandon the attack, but also to facilitate subsequent detection of the assailant or assuring that, after the event, the assailant is noticed by, for example, passers-by, fellow passengers in public transport, members of the public in public- access buildings and so on. The liquid may be, for example, foul-smelling, although a smell which is strong and unusual in any way may serve. Alternatively, or in addition, the liquid may have a smell or may have a component with a smell which is particularly attractive to dogs or other creatures or to which dogs or other creatures are particularly sensitive, to assist in the tracking of the assailant by trained dogs, for example police dogs, or by such other creatures.

The facility for spraying malodorous liquid, particularly where incorporated in a watch may comprise, for example, an electrically operated micro- pump, or possibly a miniature container holding a supply of such liquid under pressure from a charge of compressed gas and having a valved outlet leading to a nozzle or spray orifice on the exterior of the watch body, for example along the lines of those utilised in aerosol sprays, but on a somewhat smaller physical scale for ease of incorporation within a watch casing. The valve mechanism in the latter case may be electromagnetically operated or activated by, for example, an electrically triggered miniature pyrotechnic device. The charge of malodorous hquid, and the means for spraying the same, may, of course, be incorporated in an independent unit, for example, a unit mounted behind the lapel of a jacket or coat, or incorporated in a brooch or pendant, and may be controlled from the alarm watch via a wired connection or, for example, a radio link, or may be independently operable.

It will be understood that, alternatively or additionally, the device may be arranged to spray an indelible dye, or other marker on an assailant to facilitate subsequent identification. Whilst it is envisaged that the fact that the liquid in question has been sprayed upon an assailant or his clothing will be detectable by humans or other living creatures by smell, liquids may be used which include components adapted for ready detection by other means, for example by electronic "sniffers" or by gas chromatography.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable timepiece incorporating a smoke detector and alarm.

FIGURE 1 in the accompanying drawing is a perspective view of an electronic alarm wrist-watch embodying the invention in the last-noted aspect and FIGURE 2 is a schematic sectional view through the body part of the watch of Figure 1.

In this embodiment, the device may be triggered to operate in its personal attack alarm mode by striking the front face of the watch firmly, to cause an internal accelerometer to provide a signal initiating the production of the audible alarm.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the watch illustrated comprises a body 10 comprising a casing 12 which houses the alarm and monitoring circuitry in addition to circuitry driving a conventional LCD or other electronic watch display, (and, where utilised, circuitry required for the monitoiing facility described above whereby the proximity of possessions, children or pets may be monitored or alarm systems carried by protected items set or unset). In the arrangement shown in Figure 2 this circuitry is carried by a circuit board indicated at 20. In addition, the watch body 10 accommodates a sound generating device including a piezo-electric transducer 14 which, in the manner described in W097/13656, forms one wall of a Helmholtz resonator incorporated within the watch body and which resonator in turn loads an acoustic horn 16 the mouth of which opens out along one edge of the watch body as indicated at 18 in Figure 1. The watch includes a wrist strap 13 secured to body 10 and a closure 15 for said strap. Mounted within the watch casing 12 is a sensor 19 operable to trigger the alarm and which preferably takes the form of a silicon micromachined accelerometer of very small size which is mounted on the circuit board 20. The board 20 also carries the majority of the other circuitry within the watch body, both conventional and alarm circuitry, the silicon accelerometer being electrically connected with appropriate sensing circuitry on the board 20 whereby a triggering pulse is produced, to set off the alarm, when, for example, the watch body is struck sharply. Figure 2 also illustrates the LCD display 23, a rechargeable watch battery 24, and a charger connector 26 exposed along the lower edge of the watch body, for engagement with the corresponding complementary connector on the charging support or cradle referred to above. The sound emitting device used is designed to produce its sound at the pitch to which human hearing is most sensitive and to produce a sound best adapted to attract attention. The device may, for example, produce a high sound output "whooping" alarm at a volume of up to 102 dB (A). The battery may be of such a capacity as to allow such an alarm sound to be sustained for up to five minutes. The watch strap 18 is preferably a high integrity watch strap with a concealed locking mechanism, preventing the watch from being forcibly pulled off the wrist of the wearer. The sensitivity of the accelerometer 18 is selected so as to make it simple to trigger in an emergency by striking the face of the watch, but not prone to triggering inadvertently through normal movements of the wearer. Preferably the circuitry within the watch allows the wearer to input, via appropriate input means, a code number or word, known only to the wearer to re-set the alarm and terminate the emission of the alarm signal, for example in a case where the alarm has been triggered by accident. Such input means may comprise simply an alternative setting mode for the control facility provided conventionally in electronic watches for setting the time, date, etc.

Preferably the watch display 23 is also arranged to display an early warning signal when the battery becomes low. Where the watch incorporates separate batteries for the attack alarm system and for the normal watch operation, the watch may incorporate tire facility to provide an indication when either battery is low and to indicate wliich of the batteries is low.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a personal attack alarm, preferably in the form of a wrist-watch, which incorporates one or other of the features described above with reference to the drawings and yet does not include the facility for monitoring the proximity of protected items in the manner described earlier in this specification.

It will be understood that whilst, in the above, the alarm device or monitoring device has been described as being in the form of a wrist-watch, it could, if preferred, take the form of a bangle, necklace, pendant or the like other item of personal wear or adornment.

Where appropriate the alarm system may incorporate a high efficiency sound emitting device such as disclosed in W097/13656.

In further valiants of the invention, the transponder may be replaced by a device wliich simply emits signals, for example radio signals, at intervals, for receipt by the alarm system, without itself having the capacity to receive "calling" signals, the alarm system being arranged to remain in a de-activated state as long as it receives such signals but to be activated or "armed" or, as appropriate, to switch into its alaim-signal emitting mode, when such signals from the device are no longer received, the range of the signals emitted by said device being made sufficiently short to allow absence of such signals to provide a rehable indication of physical separation between the device and the alarm signal.

The timepiece may be, for example, a travelling alarm clock or a watch. Since effective smoke detectors and alarms generally operate electrically or electronically, the timepiece in these variants is preferably electrically or electronically operated, and powered by batteries mounted within the timepiece.

Conveniently, the timepiece may be an electronic alarm watch of the kind described above, with reference to the drawings and otherwise. In this case, the smoke detector is a miniaturised electronic smoke detector housed within the watch casing 12 and connected with electronic detector circuitry functioning according to known principles but preferably integrated with the watch and alarm circuits 20. The detector may communicate with the ambient atmosphere through a dedicated small opening in the casing or via the opening to the acoustic horn 16, 18. For example, the detector may include an element extending into the cavity of the acoustic horn. If necessary, the piezo-electric sounder may be continuously supplied with an intermittent saw-tooth or bell-shape waveform pulse comprising only very low frequency components so that it will act as a simple, silent pump or respirator ensuring that the detector is supplied continually with "up-dated" samples of the ambient air.

Whilst, for economy of design, it is preferred that the same piezo- electric sounder and drive ciicuitiy therefor are used for the smoke alarm as are used for the other alarm facilities, it is desirable that the user be able to distinguish at least the emergency alarm signals from the alarm signals which are merely intended to awaken the user at a predetermined time, for example. Thus, the device is preferably so arranged that the alarm signals are significantly louder than the more routine, e.g. "time-out" signals. Possibly, to allow one category of alarm signal to be distinguished from another, the different signals may have different audible pitches, or may comprise different repeating patterns.

The last-noted aspect of the invention allows, for example, a user who may be temporarily occupying a hotel room, to use the electronic alarm watch as a chronological alarm clock, i.e. to ensure he is wakened at a pre-set time, and also to ensure that he will be awakened at an early stage of any fire which may break out in the hotel, to maximise his chances of escaping to safety.

It is anticipated that the alarm system contemplated herein will be sold under the name "WATCH-E".

Claims

1. A utility item incorporating or adapted to be connected to, an electrical power source in order to carry out its normal function, the item incorporating an electrically operable alarm or security system for providing an alarm signal or alarm signals and/or implementing other predetermined security action in predetermined circumstances, wherein said alarm or security system is powered by a rechargeable battery which is distinct from said power source but wherein the item incorporates circuitry whereby, in normal use of the item, said battery is charged by, or has its charge maintained by, electrical current derived from said power source but whereby the alarm or security system cannot be de-activated by disconnecting the item from such power source.

2. An alarm, or security apparatus, such as a vehicle immobilising apparatus, arranged, in operation, to detect the proximity of a signal-emitting device of predetermined characteristics, and arranged to maintain itself in an inactive condition as long as said device is detected, but to revert to an armed or activated condition when such device is no longer detected.

3. An alarm, security of vehicle immobilising apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal-emitting device is incorporated in a wrist-watch, pocket watch, spectacles or other personal accessory.

4. An alarm, security or vehicle immobilising system including a control or arming/de-aiming device wliich is incorporated in a wrist-watch, pocket watch, spectacles or other personal accessoiy.

5. A personal attack alarm or other personal alarm, which is in the form of a wrist-watch or bangle.

6. An alarm according to claim 5 adapted to be triggered by a blow applied to said wrist-watch or bangle.

7. A personal attack alarm or other alarm device which is adapted to spray a hquid detectable by smell, or any analogous means, onto an assailant or other felon.

8. A portable timepiece incorporating a smoke detector and alarm for producing an alarm signal when smoke is detected.

9. An alarm according to claim 1 wliich is incorporated in a watch or other personal effect or adornment.