WO2014066917A1

WO2014066917A1 - A security device

Info

Publication number: WO2014066917A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2013/000079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian LESTER; Duran VIEIRA; Keith VIEIRA
Original assignee: Lester Ian
Priority date: 2012-10-25
Filing date: 2013-10-23
Publication date: 2014-05-01

Abstract

The invention provides a portable security illuminator (10) which includes a frame (12), sized to be handheld, and a plurality of electronically co-ordinated light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (26) mounted in or to the frame, each of which is actuatable illuminate.

Description

A SECURITY DEVICE

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a portable security device.

[0002] Military, law enforcement and home defence situations often require that individuals provide additional lighting through portable devices which can reliably be carried and used in a variety of circumstances.

[0003] Portable lighting in these situations offers the dual opportunity of increasing visibility and responsiveness for certain individuals, whilst simultaneously acting to disorient and confuse others. This dual role is crucially important in security applications.

[0004] Typical devices which are used to provide portable lighting are handheld torches and weapon-mounted torches. However there are a number of negatives associated with the use of torches. For instance, they only provide a single directional beam which limits the visibility provided, and they require the operator to either use a hand to hold the torch, or to use a special weapon-mount which is not always available or practical. Most importantly, they act as a beacon which clearly marks the location of the user.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a security device which addresses at least some of the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a portable security illuminator which includes a frame, sized to be handheld, and a plurality of electronically co-ordinated light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in or to the frame, each of which is actuatable illuminate. [0007] The LEDs may be coordinated in terms of duration intensity and sequence of illumination.

[0008] Each LED may be focussed in a direction unique to the other LEDs to provide an omnidirectional light source.

[0009] The frame may be made from any suitable light weight, yet durable and resilient, material, for example a rigid plastics material.

[0010] The frame may be at least partially coated with an adhesive elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0011] The frame may take one of the following shapes: cuboid, spherical or pyramidal.

[0012] Preferably the frame is cuboidal, with an LED mounted to each face of the cuboidal frame.

[0013] The frame may contain, and rigidly hold in a fixed position, a battery housing into which a battery is mounted. [0014] The illuminator may include an LED co-ordinating circuit which is electronically interposed between the battery and the plurality of LEDs. The circuit may include a microcontroller and a plurality of input receptors, each connected to the microcontroller.

[0015] The plurality of input receptors may include, at least, a radio-frequency (RF) receiver and an impact detector. The impact detector may be any applicable device for measuring acceleration or deceleration such as, for example, an accelerometer.

[0016] The impact detector may generate a first actuation signal on detecting rapid deceleration due to impact.

[00 7] The RF receiver may generate a second actuation signal on detecting a specific RF "on" signal emitted by a remote switching unit.

[0018] The remote unit may emit the "on" signal on manual actuation or automatically on elapse of a time delay period.

[0019] The microcontroller may be programmable to cause the LEDs to illuminate immediately on, or after a predetermined period of time from, receipt of an actuation signal.

[0020] To prevent LEDs from illuminating accidentally, the microcontroller may be programmable to cause the LEDs to illuminate only when the first actuation signal exceeds a predetermined magnitude. [0021] The microcontroller may be programmable to cause each LED to emit a constant beam of light. Alternatively the microcontroller may be programmable to cause and coordinate the emission of intermittent bursts of light from the LEDs.

[0022] Additionally to the deterrent effect of light emitted by each LED, the security illuminator may include a sound-emitting device which is caused to generate a sound when the microcontroller receives an actuation signal.

[0023] The microcontroller may be programmable to delay emission of sound by the device for a predetermined period of time post receipt of an actuation signal.

[0024] The illuminator may be switched off, stopping illumination by the LEDs or sound emission by the sound-emitting device, by manually actuating the remote unit to generate an "off signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of a non-limiting example only with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric illustration of a security illuminator in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an isometrically exploded view of the security illuminator of Figure ;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the electronic components making up the security illuminator; and Figure 4 and 5 diagrammatically illustrate a plurality of the security illuminators in use. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a security illuminator 10 in accordance with the invention. The illuminator includes a cuboidal frame 12 with bevelled edges and corners, made of a durable light-weight material, such as a suitable rigid plastics material, which is sized to be hand-held and into which is mounted a plurality of LED diffusers, respectively designated 14A, 14B, 14C... and 14F.

[0027] A box-shaped battery housing 16 is rigidly and centrally suspended within the frame by means of a plurality of radially inwardly directed threaded support struts 8. [0028] As illustrated in Figure 2, each face 20 of the cube has a circular aperture 22 into which a respective complementarily sized LED diffuser is engaged. In this particular non-limiting embodiment, therefore, the illuminator 10 includes six LED diffusers, each facing in a unique direction relatively to the other diffusers.

[0029] Each diffuser 14 comprises a substantially truncated conical body 24 which beneath a globe 25 located internally presents, when assembled, at a concave base of the diffuser body, an LED 26. Therefore, the illuminator includes a set of six LEDs, in the preferred non-limiting embodiment, respectively designated 26A, 26B, 26C 26F.

A circular planar lens 28 is set into a rebated rim 30 of the body, and fixed in place on an attachment flange 32, to cover the LED containing concave space. . [0030] The lens diffuses, and enhances the brightness of, the light emitted by the LED. [0031] The diffuser body 24 is circumferentially sized to fit into a respective aperture 22. Each LED diffuser 14 is secured to the frame by rotating the diffuser body within the aperture to engage threads 33 with the threads of the struts 18. On a frame engaging side 35 of the rim 30, a rubber seal 34 is held in an annular rebate to provide sealed engagement of the diffuser 14 with the frame aperture 22.

[0032] The illuminator 10 includes a 3.7 V battery 40 which is complementarily sized to fit snugly into the battery housing 16 so that, when the illuminator is in use, the battery does not rattle about within the confines of the housing.

[0033] The illuminator 10 includes a PCB 42 which covers an open side 44 of the housing, once the battery is installed therein, and which is connected to and powered by the battery. With reference to Figure 3, the PCB includes a microcontroller 46, an accelerometer 48 and a radio-frequency (RF) receiver 50. The accelerometer and the RF receiver are each electronically connected to the microcontroller.

[0034] Each LED is electronically connected to the microcontroller which co-ordinates the illumination of the LEDs depending upon a particular optional setting input to the microcontroller. Each LED is connected to and powered by the battery 40.

[0035] The microcontroller 46 is pre-programmed with a number of LED illumination algorithms. Each algorithm co-ordinates a particular LED illumination pattern, in terms of time of illumination, LED illumination sequence and illumination intensity. For example, each LED can be co-ordinated to either continuously, intermittently or sequentially emit light. If intermittent, the LEDs can be co-ordinated to generate light pulses at particular intervals, either simultaneously or sequentially, with each light pulse lasting for a particular duration, at a particular intensity.

[0036] Built into the microcontroller run algorithms, can be the capacity for illuminated LEDs to fade rather than to abruptly switch off. [0037] The microcontroller 46 is initiated to run a particular pre-set algorithm on receipt of an actuation signal from either the accelerometer 48, which acts as an impact sensor, or the RF receiver. The microcontroller can be set to run the algorithm, and thereby cause illumination of the LEDs in a particular illumination pattern, either immediately on receipt of the signal or after a pre-determined time delay. [0038] The accelerometer 48 is configured to detect the rapid deceleration that occurs when the illuminator 10 hits an object or surface after being thrown, for example, into a room needing illumination, as illustrated in Figure 4 and 5. This deceleration causes the accelerometer to generate a first actuation signal which is transmitted to the microcontroller 46. [0039] The microcontroller can be pre-set to only initiate the running of a particular illumination protocol if the magnitude of the first actuation signal breaches a particular - threshold. This will avoid unwanted illumination of the illuminator 10 if the device is knocked or accidentally dropped, for example.

[0040] The illuminator 10 can be described as being in "impact mode" when it is configured to illuminate by impact and the illuminator has capacity to be set to this mode. [0041] Alternatively, the illuminator 10 can be set to "remote mode" when the device is configured to illuminate on receipt, by the microcontroller 46, of a second actuation signal from the RF receiver 50. This actuation signal is transmitted consequentially to the receiver receiving an RF signal from a remote hand-held unit 52 (see Figure 3). [0042] In use, a user, for example a police officer 54, will toss or throw one or more of the security illuminators 10 into an area which requires illumination. If the illuminator is set to impact mode, and is pre-set to require impact of a particular force, the user must throw it with sufficient force, or from a sufficient height, to activate.

[0043] If the illuminator 10 is pre-mounted in a static location and not on the user's person, it can only be activated through remote-control, with the use of the remote unit 52, or an internal timer, and not impact.

[0044] On activation, the LEDs will illuminate, either immediately or after a time delay, providing either a strobing or constant-on diffused omnidirectional light pattern, depending upon the pre-set protocol of the microcontroller 46. The effect of which is to fill the room with a high intensity dis-orientating white light. The intense omnidirectional light 56 provided by the LEDs, as illustrated in Figure 5, will act to disorient and surprise any people in the vicinity of an illuminator 10 upon its activation.

[0045] As an additional deterrent stimulus, the illuminator can include a sound-emitting device 58 which is caused to emit a sound, on receipt by the microcontroller of a particular actuating signal, as with the LEDs. Thus, while the room is flooded with light by the LEDs, simultaneously or after a small delay, the sound-emitting device (hereinafter referred to as "a buzzer") produces an intense disorienting high pitched shrieking sound. In this manner, each illuminator 10 overloads a target person's aural and visual senses.

[0046] The frame 12 can be provided with a coating of either a high-grade recyclable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which serves to dampen sound while being carried by a user and to allow the illuminator to bounce and then stick to a floor or wall surface of a room when thrown into the room, or a nylon polymer.

[0047] The thermoplastic elastomer or nylon polymer coating is durable and waterproof and therefore can be cleaned with water and a normal household dish washing detergent. [0048] With reference to the activation modes, it is anticipated that the illuminator 10 can have three user programmable activation modes, which are as follows: a) impact activation only; b) remote activation only; and c) remote and impact activation. [0049] With reference to the light and sound operations, it is anticipated that the illuminator 10 can have four user programmable light and sound emission settings, which are as follows: d) strobe with buzzer on; e) strobe with buzzer off; f) constant-on with buzzer on; and g) constant-on with buzzer off. [0050] For each of the above settings, it is envisaged that the LEDs will stay on until turned off by the user using the remote control unit 52 or after 10 minutes, whichever event occurs first.

[0051] For each of the "buzzer on" settings, the buzzer will come on 3 seconds after the LEDs have activated and will stay on for 0 seconds. The 3-second delay is designed to create a secondary distraction after the LEDs have created the initial distraction.

[0052] The benefits of the security illuminator 10 are as follows: a) no buttons to push or toggle to activate, simply toss and forget; b) diffused omni-directional light pattern and the ability to place multiple light sources into an area means no tunnel vision, fewer blind spots, improved multi target identification without the operator having to enter and "sweep" the room; c) because the security illuminator's light source is diffused and omni-directional and is placed away from the operator, there is a reduced risk of momentary blindness caused to the operator by the reflected light when activated in close proximity to a reflective surface; d) because the security illuminator's light source is omni-directional and is placed away from the operator there is no tell-tale beam trajectory giving away the operator's movement and position causing him to become an easy target; e) the bouncing, rolling shrieking cubes of light, which the illuminators are, will momentarily distract and disorient the intruder / enemy as well as disrupt his vision (it is an instinctual human reaction to look directly at a bright and noisy object which will cause the intruder / enemy's pupils to constrict causing momentary blindness and disorientation) creating a momentary tactical advantage which can be crucial in a situation where fractions of a second can make all the difference; and

f) toss and forget means two-handed weapon handling for greater accuracy and easier reloading;

[0053] The device can also be used for many other low light emergency and general utility applications, for example: camping and outdoor lighting; indoor lighting during a power failure;

emergency locator beacon; mine rescue and recovery;

underwater rescue and recovery; collapsed building rescue and recovery;

fire fighting and ambulance service; building evacuation; and

visual line demarcation and crowd control, etc.

Claims

1. A portable security illuminator which includes a frame, sized to be handheld, and a plurality of electronically co-ordinated light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in or to the frame, each of which is actuatable to illuminate.

2. A portable security illuminator according to claim 1 wherein the LEDs are coordinated in terms of duration, intensity and sequence of illumination.

3. A portable security illuminator according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each LED is focussed in a direction unique to the other LEDs.

4. A portable security illuminator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the frame is made from a light weight, durable, resilient and rigid plastics material.

5. A portable security illuminator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the frame takes one of the following shapes: cuboid, spherical or pyramidal.

6. A portable security illuminator according to claim 5 wherein the frame is cuboidal and a LED is mounted in or to each face of the cuboidal frame.

7. A portable security illuminator according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the frame contains, and rigidly holds in a fixed position, a battery housing into which a battery is mounted.

8. A portable security illuminator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 which includes a LED co-ordinating circuit which is electronically interposed between the battery and the plurality of LEDs.

9. A portable security illuminator according to claim 8 wherein the circuit includes a microcontroller and a plurality of input receptors, each of which connected to the microcontroller.

10. A portable security illuminator according to claim 9 wherein the plurality of input receptors includes a radio-frequency (RF) receiver and an impact detector.

11. A portable security illuminator according to claim 10 wherein the impact detector is an accelerometer.

12. A portable security illuminator according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the impact detector generates a first actuation signal on detecting rapid deceleration due to impact.

13. A portable security illuminator according to claim 12 wherein the RF receiver generates a second actuation signal on detecting a specific RF "on" signal from a remote switching unit.

14. A portable security illuminator according to claim 13 wherein the microcontroller is programmable to cause the LEDs to illuminate immediately on, or after a predetermined period of time from, receipt of an actuation signal.

15. A portable security illuminator according to claim 14 wherein the microcontroller is programmable to cause the LEDs to illuminate only when the first actuation signal exceeds a predetermined magnitude.

16. A portable security illuminator according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the microcontroller is programmable to cause each LED to emit either a constant beam of light or intermittent bursts of light.

17. A portable security illuminator according to any one of claims 13 to* 16 which includes a sound-emitting device which is caused to generate a sound when the microcontroller receives an actuation signal.

A portable security illuminator according to claim 14 wherein the remote switching unit generates a RF "off' signal, on manual actuation of the unit, to stop emission of light.