WO2003041027A1

WO2003041027A1 - Security device

Info

Publication number: WO2003041027A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/004793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Derbyshire
Original assignee: Addservice Limited
Priority date: 2001-11-03
Filing date: 2002-10-23
Publication date: 2003-05-15

Abstract

A security device (1O, 21, 31, 41) for a premises is provided for the time when the usual occupants of those premises are not in attendance. The security device (1O, 21, 31, 41) has an operating unit (11, 22, 32, 42) and at least one device (12, 23, 33, 34, 43, 50, 54), such as lamp, radio or the like, switchable between on and off conditions. The operating unit (11, 22, 32, 42) has a signal generator (13, 25, 36, 46) and the switchable device (12, 23, 33, 34, 43, 50, 54) has a signal receiver (16, 29), whereby on receipt of a signal (S) from the signal generator (13, 25, 36, 46) the signal receiver (16, 29) is operable to switch the switchable device (12, 23, 33, 34, 43, 50, 54) between on and off conditions. An activating device (18, 30, 37, 47) is operable to cause the signal generator (13, 25, 36, 46) to generate a signal (S) when the activating device (18, 30, 37, 47) senses a predetermined circumstance, such as the ambient light (L) falling below a predetermined level, or at a preset time.

Description

SECURITY DEVICE

This invention relates to security devices. In particular, the invention relates to devices for operating manually switchable devices such as lamps, radio or other equipment in premises when the usual occupants of those premises are not in attendance.

It is desirable to suggest that premises are occupied when the occupants are absent to deter unauthorised entry to those premises. To this end, the lighting of the premises may incorporate a device or devices for switching the lighting on or off automatically in predetermined circumstances. The lighting may be the lighting that is permanently installed in the premises, or may be extra lighting such as table lamps. All such lighting will hereinafter be referred to as lamps. Devices for this purpose are available at present. One such device is a "dawn to dusk" socket that is plugged into a lamp socket and the bulb is then plugged into the "dawn to dusk" socket. The lamp is then switched to "on". The "dawn to dusk" socket has a light sensor that causes the lamp bulb to be illuminated when the sensor detects that the ambient light is below a predetermined level, and to be extinguished when the ambient light is above that level. However, some people do not leave their lamps on all night, and therefore this arrangement may not be realistic of those occupied premises. Also such devices do not work satisfactorily in the case of ceiling lamps since generally insufficient light from a window reaches the sensor, particularly since most lamps have a lampshade over or around them. Similarly with table lamps, unless a suitable location for such a lamp is available near a window. However, this can present a fire risk due to the close proximity of curtains to a lamp in such a position. An alternative arrangement is to use a timing device in conjunction with a lamp or other equipment. This is satisfactory for use with a table lamp, but cannot readily be used with ceiling or wall lamps without rewiring of the lighting circuit of the premises, a task most people would be reluctant or unable to do.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security device, for operating lamps or other equipment in a premises when the usual occupants of that premises are not in attendance, that does not have the disadvantages of the known devices.

The invention provides a security device comprising an operating unit and at least one device switchable between on and off conditions, the operating unit comprising a signal generator and the at least one switchable device comprising a signal receiver, whereby on receipt of a signal from the signal generator the signal receiver is operable to switch the at least one switchable device between on and off conditions. The signal generator may generate a radio signal, an infra red signal or other form of signal.

The operating unit may comprise an activating device operable to cause the signal generator to generate a signal when the activating device senses a predetermined circumstance. The activating device may be a light sensor whereby the signal generator is operable to generate a signal when the predetermined circumstance is that the ambient light changes between being above or below a predetermined level. Alternatively, the activating device may be a timing device, whereby the signal generator is operable to generate a signal when the predetermined circumstance is that the time reaches a predetermined time set on the timing device. As a further alternative, the activating device may be a motion sensing device, whereby the signal generator is operable to generate a signal when the predetermined circumstance is that the motion sensing device senses a movement within an area scanned by the motion sensing device. The operating unit may be powered by a battery, which may be rechargeable. The operating unit may comprise a solar panel operable to recharge the battery. Alternatively, the operating unit may be powered by the mains electrical supply of the premises, in which case a battery back-up may be provided. As a further alternative, the operating unit may be powered by a wind-up mechanism.

The security device may comprise a plurality of switchable devices, each switchable device comprising a signal receiver, whereby on receipt of a signal from the signal generator each signal receiver is operable to switch the respective switchable device between on and off conditions. The operating unit may comprise a programmable unit, which may be programmed to cause the signal generator to generate a plurality of differing signals at different times after the activating device senses a predetermined circumstance, each signal causing a respective one of the plurality of switchable devices to switch between on and off conditions. Alternatively, each switchable device may comprise a programmable unit, whereby the device may switch between on and off conditions at predetermined times after receiving a signal from the signal generator.

The operating unit may comprise a manual override switch. The or each switchable device may comprise a lamp, or one of the plurality of switchable devices may comprise an audio device, such as a radio, recording device or an audio/visual device such as a television. Alternatively, the switchable device may comprise an alarm signal generating device. The or one of the plurality of switching devices may comprise a lamp and a manually operated switch spaced from the lamp. In this case, the signal receiving device of the or one of the plurality of switching devices may be coupled to the manually operated switch. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment, Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment, Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment, and Fig. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment.

Referring now to Fig. 1 , there is shown a security device 10 comprising an operating unit 11 and a switchable device 12, in this case a lamp. The lamp 12 is switchable between on and off conditions in the normal manner by means of a manually operated switch (not shown). The operating unit 11 comprises a signal generator 13. The lamp 12 comprises a bulb holder 14 into which a bulb 15 is normally plugged. However, in this case a signal receiver 16 is plugged into the bulb holder 14 and the bulb 15 is plugged into the signal receiver 16. The lamp 12 also includes a lamp shade 17 as is conventional. The operating unit 11 also incorporates an activating device in the form of a light sensor 18, which is coupled to the signal generator 13. The operating unit 11 is powered by a rechargeable battery 19, which is recharged by means of a solar cell 20.

The security device 10 operates as follows. The lamp 12 is switched on in the normal manner by means of the conventional manually operated switch, but during normal daylight hours the bulb 15 is not illuminated. The operating unit 11 is placed in a suitable location at which it receives light, denoted by the arrows L, for example on a window-sill. When the level of the light L falls below a predetermined level, the light sensor 18 senses this. This predetermined circumstance causes a radio signal S to be generated by the signal generator 13. The signal S is detected by the signal receiver 16, which is operable to switch the lamp 12 from off to the on condition. When the level of the light L rises above that predetermined level, the light sensor 18 again senses this. This second predetermined circumstance causes a second radio signal S to be generated by the signal generator 13. The signal receiver 16 detects the signal S, and is operable to switch the lamp 12 from on to the off condition. Thus the bulb 15 is illuminated at night and is extinguished at dawn, thereby creating the impression that the premises are occupied.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown a security device 21 comprising an operating unit 22 and a switchable device 23, in this case also a lamp. The lamp 23 is switchable between on and off conditions in the normal manner by means of a manually operated switch 24. The operating unit 22 comprises a signal generator 25. The lamp 23 comprises a bulb holder 26, into which a bulb 27 is plugged, and a lampshade 28, as is conventional. In this case, a signal receiver 29 is coupled with the switch 24. This arrangement is particularly suitable for use with a lamp having a fluorescent tube instead of a bulb 27. The operating unit 22 also incorporates an activating device in the form of a timer 30, which is coupled to the signal generator 25. The operating unit 22 is powered by the mains electrical supply of the premises, but has a back-up battery 40 in case of the failure of or interference with the mains power supply. The timer 30 also has a manual override switch 41.

The security device 21 operates as follows. The lamp 23 is switched off in the normal manner by means of the conventional manually operated switch 24 during normal daylight hours so that the bulb 27 is not illuminated. The operating unit is placed in any suitable location from which a signal S may travel directly from the signal generator 25 to the signal receiver 29. When the time reaches a predetermined time set on the timer 30, an infra-red signal S is generated by the signal generator 25. The signal receiver 29 detects the signal S, which is operable to change the switch 24 from off to the on condition, thereby causing the bulb 27 to be illuminated. When the time reaches a second predetermined time set on the timer 30, a second infra-red signal S is generated by the signal generator 25. The signal receiver 29 detects the signal S, and is operable to change the switch 24 from on to the off condition, thereby causing the bulb 27 to be extinguished. The times set on the timer 30 may be any desired times, for example dusk and dawn, or dusk and a time that is typical for the occupants of the premises to retire to bed.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a security device 31 comprising an operating unit 32 and a plurality of switchable devices 33, 34. In this case, the switchable devices 33a, 33b and 33c are lamps of the type shown in Fig. 1 and described above. In addition, there is shown a switchable device 34 in the form of a radio. The lamps 33 are switchable between on and off conditions in the normal manner by means of respective manually operated switches (not shown). The radio 34 is switchable between on and off conditions in the normal manner by means of a switch 35. The operating unit 32 comprises a signal generator 36 and an activating device in the form of a light sensor 37, which is coupled to the signal generator 36. The operating unit 32 also comprises a programmable unit 38 and a manual override switch 39. The operating unit 32 is powered by the electrical supply of the premises.

The security device 31 operates as follows. The lamps 33 and radio 34 are switched on in the normal manner, but during normal daylight hours the lamps 33 are not illuminated and the radio 34 is not operating. The operating unit 32 is placed in a suitable location at which it receives light, denoted by the arrows L, for example on a window-sill. When the level of the light L falls below a predetermined level, the light sensor 37 senses this. This predetermined circumstance causes a first radio signal S to be generated by the signal generator 36. The signal receiver of lamp 33a detects the signal Si, and is operable to switch the lamp 33a from off to the on condition. The programmable unit 38 is programmed to cause the signal generator 36 to generated a second, different radio signal S₂ which is received by the signal receiver of lamp 33b thereby causing the lamp 33b to be switched on. This process is repeated to switch on lamp 33c. The programmable unit 38 may be programmed to continue to switch on and off the lamps 33 at predetermined times after the generation of the first radio signal Si. When the level of the light L rises above the predetermined level, the light sensor

37 again senses this. This second predetermined circumstance causes a second radio signal

S-i to be generated by the signal generator 36. The signal receiver of lamp 33a detects the signal S^ and is operable to switch the lamp 33a from on to the off condition. Subsequently the lamps 33b and 33c may be switched off. The programmable unit 38 may be programmed to provide that the signal generator 36 generates a signal S₄ to switch the radio 34 (or a television) on or off at times together with, or independently of, the switching of the lamps 33 on and off, as desired.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a security device 41 comprising an operating unit 42 and a plurality of switchable devices 43, 50, 54. In this case, the switchable devices 43a, 43b and 43c are lamps of the type shown in Fig. 1 and described above. In addition, there are shown switchable devices in the form of a recording device 50 and an alarm 54. The lamps 43 are switchable between on and off conditions in the normal manner by means of respective manually operated switches (not shown). The recording device 50 is switchable between on and off conditions in the normal manner by means of a switch 53. The operating unit 42 comprises a signal generator 46 and an activating device in the form of a motion sensor 47, which is coupled to the signal generator 46. The operating unit 42 also comprises a manual override switch 49. In this instance, the operating unit 42 is powered by a wind-up or clockwork mechanism 51.

The security device 41 operates as follows. The lamps 43 and recording device 50 are switched on in the normal manner, but during the time in which at least one person is moving about the house legitimately the lamps 33 are illuminated only if required. When the house is unoccupied or the occupants are in bed, the lights 43 may be switched off. The operating unit 42 is placed in a suitable location from which it scans a selected area of the house by means of an infra red signal S₆. If a person 52 moves within the area scanned by the signal S₆, the motion sensor 47 senses this. This predetermined circumstance causes signals S^ S₂, S₃ to be generated by the signal generator 46 and received by the signal receivers of lamps 43a, 43b, 43c to switch the lamps 43a, 43b, 43c from off to the on condition. The lamps may be illuminated for a predetermined time, for example 15 minutes, if desired. The signal generator 46 also generates a signal S₅ to switch the recording device 50 on, and/or a signal S₇ to activate the alarm 54. The recording device 50 may broadcast the sound of a dog or dogs barking, or the sound of people talking, or a mixture of both.

The various features of this invention may be interchanged as desired. For example, the operating unit 11 of the first embodiment, or the switch 24 of the second embodiment may incorporate the programmable unit 38 of the third embodiment. In these cases, the lamp 12, 23 may be switched off and on several times after the initial switching on so as to give the impression that an occupant of the premises is moving in and out of a room. The lamps shown are ceiling lamps, but the arrangements shown and described are equally applicable to table lamps or wall lamps. By means of the invention, a security device is provided which requires no rewiring of premises. The signal receivers 16 are simply plugged into existing bulb holders 14. If power is required for the operating unit, the unit may be simply plugged into the power circuit of the premises. With the employment of radio signals, lamps in several rooms of a premises may be switched on or off as desired. The operating unit, if light sensitive, may be placed in a location which receives the maximum amount of light from a window.

Claims

1. A security device (10, 21 , 31 , 41) comprising an operating unit (11 , 22, 32, 42) and at least one device (12, 23, 33, 34, 43, 50, 54) switchable between on and off conditions, characterised in that the operating unit (11 , 22, 32, 42) comprises a signal generator (13, 25, 36, 46) and the at least one switchable device (12, 23, 33, 34, 43, 50, 54) comprises a signal receiver (16, 29), whereby on receipt of a signal (S) from the signal generator (13, 25, 36, 46) the signal receiver (16, 29) is operable to switch the at least one switchable device (12, 23, 33, 34, 43, 50, 54) between on and off conditions.

2. A security device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the signal generator (13,

36) generates a radio signal (S).

3. A security device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the signal generator (25) generates an infra red signal (S).

4. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the operating unit (11 , 22, 32, 42) comprises an activating device (18, 30, 37, 47) operable to cause the signal generator (13, 25, 36, 46) to generate a signal (S) when the activating device (18, 30, 37, 47) senses a predetermined circumstance.

5. A security device according to claim 4, characterised in that the activating device (18,

37) is a light sensor whereby the signal generator (13, 36) is operable to generate a signal (S) when the predetermined circumstance is that the ambient light (L) changes between being above or below a predetermined level.

6. A security device according to claim 4, characterised in that the activating device (30) is a timing device, whereby the signal generator (25) is operable to generate a signal (S) when the predetermined circumstance is that the time reaches a predetermined time set on the timing device (30).

7. A security device according to claim 4, characterised in that the activating device (47) is a motion sensing device, whereby the signal generator (46) is operable to generate a signal (S) when the predetermined circumstance is that the motion sensing device (47) senses a movement within an area scanned by the motion sensing device (47).

8. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the operating unit (11) is powered by a battery (19).

9. A security device according to claim 8, characterised in that the battery (19) is rechargeable.

10. A security device according to claim 9, characterised in that the operating unit (1 1) comprises a solar panel (20) operable to recharge the battery (19).

11. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the operating unit (22, 32) is powered by a mains supply of a premises.

12. A security device according to claim 11 , characterised in that the operating unit (22) comprises a battery back-up (40).

13 A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the operating unit (42) is powered by a wind-up mechanism (51).

14. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the operating unit (32) comprises a programmable unit (38).

15 A security device according to claim 14, characterised in that the programmable unit (38) is programmed to cause the signal generator (36) to generate a plurality of differing signals (S) at different times after the activating device (37) senses a predetermined circumstance, each signal (S) causing the switchable device (33, 34) to switch between on and off conditions.

16. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the switchable device (24) comprises a programmable unit (38).

17. A security device according to claim 16, characterised in that the programmable unit (38) is programmed to switch the switchable device (24) between on and off conditions at predetermined times after receiving a signal (S) from the signal generator (25).

18. A security device according to claim 1 , characterised by a plurality of switchable devices (33, 34, 43, 50, 54), each switchable device (33, 34, 43, 50, 54) comprising a signal receiver, whereby on receipt of a signal (S) from the signal generator (36, 46) each signal receiver is operable to switch the respective switchable device (33, 34, 43, 50, 54) between on and off conditions.

19. A security device according to claim 18, characterised in that the operating unit (32, 42) comprises a programmable unit (38).

20 A security device according to claim 19, characterised in that the programmable unit (38) is programmed to cause the signal generator (36, 46) to generate a plurality of differing signals (S) at different times after the activating device (37, 47) senses a predetermined circumstance, each signal (S) causing a respective one of the plurality of switchable devices (33, 34, 43, 50, 54) to switch between on and off conditions.

21. A security device according to claim 19, characterised in that each switchable device (33, 34, 43, 50, 54) comprises a programmable unit (38), whereby each switchable device (33, 34, 43, 50, 54) may switch between on and off conditions at respective predetermined times after receiving a signal (S) from the signal generator (36, 46).

22. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , characterised in that the operating unit (22) comprises a manual override switch (41).

23. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterised in that the or each switchable device (12, 23, 33, 43) comprises a lamp.

24. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterised in that the switchable device (34), or one of the plurality of switchable devices (34, 50, 54) comprises an audio device.

25. A security device according to claim 24, characterised in that the audio device (34) is a radio.

26. A security device according to claim 24, characterised in that the audio device (50) is a recording device.

27. A security device according to claim 24, characterised in that the audio device (54) is an alarm signal generating device

28. A security device according to claim 23, characterised in that the or one of the plurality of switchable devices (23) comprises a lamp and a manually operated switch (24) spaced from the lamp (23).

29. A security device according to claim 28, characterised in that the signal receiving device (29) of the or one of the plurality of switchable devices (23) is coupled to the manually operated switch (24).

30. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 , or Fig. 2 or Fig. 3, or Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.